Nick Ray Winchell

Nick Ray Winchell, 88, of Lawrence, entered into the promise of eternal life on Friday, September 6, 2024. His daughter by his side. At the time of Nick’s passing he had a renewed reliance on his faith in Jesus Christ.

He was born June 18, 1936, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Alfredo (Fred) DeVita and Margaret (Markin) Schroeder. Nick lived most of his life in Topeka, where he graduated from Topeka High School, in 1955. He sang in a choir and played the saxophone. Following graduation, he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country as a US Army Medic. He later attended the University of Kansas and Emporia State University and earned a Master’s Degree as a Social Worker in Rehabilitation Counseling. 

Nick had an incredible artistic ability and created the artwork for the Maternal and Child Health division of the Kansas State Health Department. He was a Cartoonist & Freelance Sketch Artist. He loved to draw the Charlie Brown characters for Nicole and her cousins when they were children, often using a napkin if paper wasn’t available. Nick was also a self-taught guitarist. He enjoyed many types of music; Blues being his favorite. 

In recent years, Nick loved to sit outside in the sun with his favorite “little puppy”, Mocha, on his lap, while he sipped on warm tea. He was at peace observing nature, while having long conversations with his daughter about life’s deepest mysteries and meaning. Nick’s most memorable moments in nature were spent on a sandy beach in California with the sounds of ocean waves & birds singing.

Nick is survived by his daughter, Nicole Preslicka; his grandchildren, Cesario (Kelsey) Garcia and Gabriel (Noelle) Byrne. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Schroeder, his father, Alfredo DeVita, and his stepfather, Jim Winchell. God hand-picked a compassionate care team from Phoenix Hospice, who made sure his final days on earth were as peaceful as possible. 

He will be laid to rest at 1:00pm on Monday, September 16, 2024 at Mount Hope Cemetery (4700 SW 17th St). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Lawrence Humane Society.

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