James Richard Nairn, 71, died April 6, 2009 at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was born May 26, 1937 at Great Bend, Kansas, the son of James Gerald and Martha Freda (Evers) Nairn. He married Margaret Ann Yeager June 16, 1963 at Larned, Kansas. Mr. Nairn was raised at Pawnee Rock, Kansas, attended Fort Hays State University where he received bachelor and Masters degrees, and then moved to Kismet, Kansas, for his first teaching assignment. In 1969, he moved to Great Bend to begin his career at Barton Community College where he was the Chairperson and instructor of the Business Department for thirty years. Mr. Nairn was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Ann Nairn, of the home; one son, James Michael Nairn and wife, Wendy, Great Bend, Kansas; three daughters: Kristin Washington, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Kelli Dawson and husband, Kent, Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Jennifer Reed and husband, Kevin, Yukon, Oklahoma; two sisters: Sandra Haun, Larned, Kansas; and Linda Slavik, Pawnee Rock, Kansas; and eight grandchildren: Tyler Nairn, Hillary Nairn, Taylor Washington, Kelsey Dawson, Karlie Dawson, Madison Reed, Blake Reed, and Preston Reed. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Emily Reed. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 9, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend. The Reverend Dr. Scott Solether will officiate. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2009, with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials in Mr. Nairn's name have been established with First Presbyterian Church or CKMC Foundation for the benefit of the Heartland Cancer Center, both in care of the funeral home.