Michael David Lichty

Michael David Lichty was born June 10, 1946, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Donald and Lois Lichty. Mike entered into rest June 3, 2017, at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, Colorado.   

At the time of Mike’s birth, his dad was serving in the US Army.  After being discharged from the Army in September of 1947, the family moved to Wyoming and made their home at a lumber yard where Donald worked.  Donald really wanted to farm, though, so the family moved and settled near Davenport, Nebraska.  Mike attended Davenport School where he enjoyed playing football and basketball in high school; he graduated in 1965.  From there he went on to Milford Trade School and graduated with a degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.  He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1967 and went on to basic training in Fort Ord, California. 

He met his future wife, Carol Pitts, in 1970 while doing weekend Guard training and literally flew into her heart.  Mike had earned his pilot’s license and bought a plane with his brother Darrel before meeting Carol.  Only having met her once before, he flew to Hebron to take her for her first airplane ride. They had a whirlwind romance and were married February 14, 1971. They settled in Davenport, Nebraska, and 2 children were welcomed:  Jason Michael, born October 1971 and Erin Renee, born January 1975.  Mike was honorably discharged from the Guard in April of 1973 and farmed with his brother, brother-in-law, and dad. 

Farming was his passion, but Nebraska was limiting his opportunities to grow and buy more land, so in the winter of 1979 they moved to a farm in Kirk, Colorado, to pursue a new adventure.  In September 1984 another child joined the family, daughter Kenna Jane.  After getting the farm established and befriending Carl Comer, Mike’s dream of flying was made a reality again when they purchased a plane together.  Later, Elden Hill bought out Carl’s share of the plane and shared Mike’s love of flying.  Mike loved to take his family back to Nebraska in the plane for family gatherings. 

Mike was a very hard worker, so not a lot of traveling was done until he retired, but he loved his family and did his best to be at his kids’ school activities as much as possible. Later, when grandkids came along, he made it a priority to do as much with them as he could.  Mike was very competitive and enjoyed playing lots of golf and card games whenever he could.  He shared his love of cards with his grandkids and always invited them to play whenever they wanted to.

 During semi-retirement, Mike and Carol did get to travel to Mexico with numerous friends.  They also got to go to Alaska to fish and take in the scenery there as well.  In 2009, Mike and Carol purchased a house in Chandler, Arizona, and became snowbirds where they could enjoy year-round golf.  After making friends with several other snowbirds in Arizona, they made a road trip to see their homes in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.  The group continued into Canada and visited Niagara Falls before heading back home.

   In 2015, Mike fulfilled his wish of owning a red 1957 Chevy Bel Air.  He was very proud of his car and wanted to share it with as many as possible.  He enjoyed giving rides to anyone and actually let his granddaughter Haley be escorted in it when she was nominated the homecoming queen of her high school.

                Mike is survived by his wife Carol, son Jason and wife Tycie, daughter Erin (Dietz) and husband Doug, daughter Kenna (Dible) and husband Andy. Grandchildren Tyson and Jaret Lichty, Dylan and Haley Dietz, Alora and Pason Dible. Sister Cheryl Bredensteiner and husband Gary of Lincoln, Nebaska, brother Darrel and wife Connie of Carleton, Nebraska, sister-in-law Joyce Ude, sister-in-law Bev Pitts, brother-in-law Lyle (Beverly) Pitts, sister-in-law Lila (Lee) Gottula, sister-in-law Carla (Barry) Griggs, and numerous nieces and nephews.

                He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Lois Lichty, parents-in-law Milford and Mildred Pitts, brothers-in-law Ron Schroeder, Roger Ude, Jay Pitts, grandparents David and Isabel Lichty and Clarence and Anna Wilson.

                The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Liberty School officiated by Vickie Maxon.  The service will be directed by Baucke Funeral Home of Yuma.