Myron Vourax passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones on January 16, 2017, following an extended illness related to congestive heart failure. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, 1931, to Anthony and Harriet Anagnostopoulos Vourexakis. Both names were shortened to Anagnos and Vourax. Myron graduated from MacKenzie High School in 1949 and a year later joined the Air Force, where he served in the Korean War, 1951-1955. He was in the 501st Air Base Squadron and stationed at Kyoto, Japan, working as a Senior Communications Teletype Technician. He graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, with a degree in Biology in June of 1959. That Fall, he married Ruth Reynolds, another Earlham graduate and moved to Denver, Colorado. They later divorced in 1975. Moving to Carbondale, Illinois in June of 1960, he worked in both the Southern Illinois University Museum and Biology Department. In August, 1964, he took the position of Director of the Nature Science Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a fledgling new museum, the outgrowth of concerted efforts of the Junior League, Winston Salem Park District and the Winston Salem Foundation. By February, 1971, he accepted the position of Director of Conner Prairie Pioneer Settlement in Fishers, Indiana. It was during those years (1971-1976), that the bulk of growth and development of Conner Prairie facilities as a living history museum, took place. Following a six month Smithsonian Institution training program in 1976, he joined The Children's Museum of Indianapolis as Conservator, where he continued his work until retirement in 1995. Myron had many passions, including hunting, fishing, carving wildlife figures, creating his "mini-miniature habitats," painting, opera, taxidermy, travel to Turks and Caicos and Colts football. Myron radiated light and genuinely loved his life. He cherished his family, friends, shared the joy of each day with everyone who crossed his path and he never walked away a stranger. Both parents preceded him in death. He is survived by the Love of his life, Sue Van Voorhis, his daughter Celeste Vourax (fiance’ Leo Thompson), son Anthony Vourax (Kristina), sisters Christine Prappas, Helen Winocur (Sylvan), granddaughters Traci V. Friedmann (Kurt), Payton Vourax and grandson, Peter Vourax, 4 nephews, 1 niece and extended family members. He is also survived by Sue's children Jeff (Patricia) Van Voorhis, David (Gerhild) Van Voorhis, Julie Meyer (Blaine), Laurie Brady (Sean) and grandchildren Sarah, Ryan, Caitlyn, Nick, Jacob, Grace, Amelia, Adal and Jaac, whom he loved dearly. The Celebration of Myron Vourax's Life will be held at Conner Prairie, on February 4, 2017. We will begin gathering at 1:00 p.m., with the Celebration Service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Buffet reception will immediately follow the Service. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to any of the following organizations: Conner Prairie (Please call (317) 776-6000) Ducks Unlimited (Please call (800) 453-8257) National Wild Turkey Foundation (Please email Beth Christie at bchristie@NWTF.net) Pheasants Forever (Please contact Kristina Anderson at (651) 209-4938 or email kanderson@pheasantsforever.org)