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PLAINS – James Elwin Tyson, age 81, passed away Tuesday afternoon, August 13, 2019, at the Satanta Long Term Care Unit, Satanta, Kansas.

He was born April 1, 1938, at Ottawa, Kansas, the son of James Robert and Avis Lucille (Bottrell) Tyson. He lived a short time in Washington state before moving to Parker, Kansas, where he lived the rest of his school years.  He attended school in Parker and later attended Ottawa University, graduating in 1962.

On March 31, 1957, he married Billie A. Mahan.  After their marriage, the couple moved to Plains, Kansas, in 1962, where Elwin was employed at the Plains Equity Exchange Cooperative Union as a bookkeeper until he assumed the managers position that he held for thirty years. In addition, he managed the Plains Equity Credit Union.  On September 30, 1998, he retired after thirty-six years of employment.

He was a member of the Plains United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, since 1963, serving in all of the offices and was secretary for seventeen years, the Plains Library Board, served on the Agriculture Planning Committee for SCCC, the Southwest Kansas Co-Op Managers Association, the Kansas Co-Op Council, was a Hunters Safety Instructor, and held a private pilots certification.  He enjoyed target shooting, both muzzle loading and pistols, going camping, backpacking, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by three children, Connie Knop and husband Martin of Tyrone, Oklahoma, Allen Tyson and wife Veruska of Hoaquim, Washington, and David Tyson and wife Pam of Johnstown, Colorado; two brothers, Robert Tyson and wife Linda of Parker, Kansas, and John Tyson and wife Susan of Lincoln, Kansas; three grandchildren, Joshua (Emily) Knop, Amy (Nathan) Harmer, and Skyler Tyson; three great-grandchildren, Elisabeth Knop, William Knop, and Jaira Harmer; and nieces and nephews, Tim (Caryn) Tyson, Roger (Rhonda) Tyson, Emily, Ashley, and Christopher Tyson, Kimberly (Chuck) Johnson, Dakota Tyson, and Matthew Tyson.

Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2019, at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 24, 2019, the Goodrich Cemetery, Goodrich, Kansas.

The family would welcome memorials to the Plains United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, or the Plains Library in care of the funeral home.