Hoyt E. Nicholas, Jr., age 80, of Custer, SD, passed away March 24, 2012, at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center in Custer, SD.

Hoyt Everett Nicholas Jr. was born July 1, 1931 to Hoyt and Florence Nicholas in Miller, SD. Hoyt Sr. and Florence, with their three children, Betty, Hoyt and Roger, lived in several small towns in South Dakota during Hoyt Jr.'s early years, before settling in Ree Heights where the family worked and lived. In Ree Heights, Hoyt grew up in the middle of a vibrant and loving extended family. A graduate of Ree Heights High School, Hoyt's first years of college were completed at the University of South Dakota. College was interrupted, when Hoyt joined the Navy, from which he was honorably discharged after his four years of service. He was always profoundly proud of his service. After the Navy, Hoyt resumed college at South Dakota State University, where he graduated with a degree in animal husbandry.

Hoyt married Lois Miller in 1955, and they settled into a life of ranching at Ree Heights, SD. The family grew, and over the next years, they welcomed children Jenny, Angie, David, Polly, and Sarah. Polly died at only six months old, but her dad cherished thoughts of her his whole life. Hoyt made use of his animal husbandry degree by applying innovation and creativity to the ranching industry.

In 1976, Hoyt moved the Nicholas Ranch to the Black Hills of South Dakota. In his usual fashion, the new ranch, with headquarters in the Elk Mountains and nestled near the Wyoming border, was grandiose and magnificent.

In 1986, Hoyt married Kathy (Kat) Borgen. Switching gears from ranching, Hoyt and Kat bought Beaver Lake Campground near Custer around 1987, where they welcomed visitors to the Black Hills for several years before retiring. Hoyt's favorite hobby throughout his life was the game of Bridge. He gained notoriety in the Bridge world as he was one of the few people worldwide to ever attain over 2,500 master points. Hoyt and Kat enjoyed many years of card games with friends across the country.

Hoyt was an original. A Bridge playin' cowboy who served up PB&J in the mornings to his kids while singing colorful Navy tunes. He was an uncle who made every niece and nephew feel welcome and like they had entered the old west. Hoyt had such a great and fun attitude that any workday with him was enjoyable. Always a gamer and story teller, the evening dinner was an event not to be missed. Songs, stories, and competitions like who could get through six saltines and whistle first, were standard during dinner. Hoyt made sure that life was full of fun. Any kid wants to fix fence, if you get to learn all the verses to "Queenie" while working.

Hoyt is survived by his wife, Kathy "Kat" Nicholas of Custer, SD; daughter Jen (Buzz) Taylor of Lafayette, CO; daughter Angie (Rony) Greenberg of Morristown, NJ; son David (Kathy) Nicholas of Worland, WY; and daughter Sarah (Kenna) Venekamp of Fort Collins, CO; his sister Betty (Ron) McMurry of Madison, WI; and sister-in-law Linda Nicholas of Sheridan, WY, 18 grand-kids and 4 great-grands. Hoyt was preceded in death by his daughter, Polly Bess Nicholas, and his brother, Roger Nicholas.

Committal services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.