James Lyle Nidey

James Nidey was born on June 15, 1921 and departed this life on March 12, 2021 at the age of 99 years and 9 months; only lacking 3 months reaching 100.

James was born to Wallace and Hazel and Hazel (Orndorff) Nidey on the family homestead northwest of Campo, Colorado.  He was the second of 10 children and has outlived 8 of them.  Only one sister remains, Terry Jean Wallace of rural Springfield, Colorado.

James attended 8 years of grade school at the Sandy Soil School. Back at that time, most of the boys had to start working as soon as they got out of grade school.  This started James’ hard working for the remainder of his life; until health reasons caused him to quit. He continued to stay busy with his hands; inventing, building, and designing all kinds of “things” he was well known to have made.  Many comments have been made that James should have been a scientist or an engineer.

James was a very dedicated farmer and rancher most of his life; but church always came first, then his family that he enjoyed so much.

Sometime around 1940, a young lady by the name of Millie Dunlap got a teaching job at Sandy Soil School.  She was boarding with Delos and Flossie Wallace and rode her horse to school 2 miles. James had met her several times and had “takin’ a likin’” to her. Millie had to open a gate and go through on the way to school.  James started going and making sure the gate was open for her.  I guess you could say “It opened a gate to a long, wonderful marriage of 72 years.  They were married on May 18, 1942 in Clayton, New Mexico.

For Many years James and Millie got up at 4 a.m.; James going out to milk cows and feed hogs. Millie would fix breakfast, James left for work in the fields. Millie tending to her chickens and then working in the garden. They got up early and went to bed early.

In 1944 Rick was born, then  in 1947 Jeanne, and in 1958 Michala. They worked hard farming and raising cattle and 3 children; it did not leave much time for vacationing. Really the only “fun” time was going down in The Canyons to the Dunlap Ranch on every other Sunday afternoon after church service, which was a big “treat” for the kids.

One of the highlights of James’ life was finding and restoring old windmills.  Many days were spent in the winter months, after the chores were done, driving back roads looking for the remains of old windmills.  Many times, the windmills were given to him.  Another highlight of his life was building a large “Band Wagon” with the help of the Campo Band teacher, Dean Lusk, fulfilling a dream that Dean had for many years.  This Band Wagon was ridden by many High School kids over several years; playing their band instruments on top of the Band Wagon. The Wagon was pulled by two beautiful horses owned by James’ brother-in-law, Doc Dunlap.

James served on the school board at Sandy Soil School and on the Campo School Board.  This is the closest he came to “Community Service”; but he was very dedicated to these offices.

James was preceded in death by his father and mother Wallace and Hazel; brothers, Paul, Kenneth, Keith, Russell, and Thomas; sisters, Cora May, Anna Belle, and Mary Ann; and his beloved wife, Millie; who left this life in January 2015 leaving James very lonely; but he stayed on the farm 3 more years.  Health issues required him to move into the Long-Term Care nursing home in Springfield in 2018 where he lived until his passing last Friday. He received such dedicated and loving care while at LTC which has been deeply appreciated by his family.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

To honor the life of James, memorial contributions can be made to Southeast Colorado Hospital LTC, 373 E 10 ^th Ave., Springfield, CO. 81073 or Sandy Soil Church of Christ