Don G. Baxter
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A Memorial for Don G. Baxter, 84, of Lawrence, KS will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 1st at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in the Flory Meeting Hall, 2110 Harper Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Don died March 13, 2017. Don was born April 27, 1932 in Cheraw, CO the son of Earl and Eileen Baxter. They moved to Waverly, KS while he was still an infant. He graduated from Waverly High in 1950 where he played football and basketball. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and cars. Don married Norma Barton, Burlington, KS Sept 2 1951. They lived in Colorado until he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany.
Don, Bill Prince and the Crusaders car club built the Lawrence drag strip west of town in 1958 where Don raced his roadster “Old yeller”. He partnered with Fred Inyard on a dragster in 1960. In 1961 he started selling race parts out of a garage on Harper St. later opening Don’s Speed shop in North Lawrence. He had various dragsters until 1974 when he and Dale Wilch put together The Jayhawker Top Fuel Dragster which Dale Wilch, Bill Selley and Jim Ford drove. In 1982 it was converted to a Top Alcohol Dragster by Jim Ford. In 1985 his son Tim Baxter took over driving. In 1989 Jim Ford built a new Jayhawker and Tim drove it to 3 Div 5 Championships.
He sold the Speed shop in 1975 and planned on retiring. He then bought a 1932 Ford to restore which led to Baxter’s Ford Parts where he sold 1932-53 Ford parts. He restored and street rodded several 32-36 Fords.
Don and Norma had a place in Colorado that they enjoyed spending time at. Don liked to take his kids and grandkids on Jeep “adventures”.
Don is survived by his wife, Norma. Sister Phyllis Glenn. Children Kristine Wilson and Bob Baxter (Lisa). Grandchildren Lindsay Baxter (J.C. Martel), Kelly Gofus (Sean), Ryan Courtney (Sherene), Lacey Baxter, Brett Courtney, (Caitlin), Dan Baxter (Katie), Roxanne Baxter (Alex Mitt), Jarod Wilson, Jacob Wilson. Great Grandchildren, Jovee Gofus, Emma Courtney, Anna Courtney, Jameson Gofus, Owen Courtney, Breck Martel
He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Tim.
Memorials may be made in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
We sent our thoughts and prayers to Norma and family. Don was a very special person. He will be missed.
Norma, Bobby and rest of the family, I was shocked when I seen this in the LJW. Have know Don since the old car club days (Crusader) back in late 50’s, super guy as it the Baxter family. R.I.P
Norma, Bob and family, I was saddened to see that Don had passed away. I remember drag racing with him in the late 50″s. He even loaned me his flathead engine from “Ole Yeller” when I blew mine up. Don was just a great guy. He’ll be missed by all who knew him.
Norma, Bob and family, I was saddened to see that Don had passed away. I remember drag racing with him in the late 50″s. He even loaned me his flathead engine from “Ole Yeller” when I blew mine up. Don was just a great guy. He’ll be missed by all who knew him.
Please accept our condolences, we are so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers for the family. Don’t was a great guy. He will be missed but not forgotten.
I always enjoyed visiting with Don and Bob when we lived by the shop. Don always had a smile while chatting. He will be missed by many.
I always enjoyed visiting with Don and Bob when we lived by the shop. Don always had a smile while chatting. He will be missed by many.
Norma and family, we were saddened to hear about Don. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Saddened to hear of Don’s passing. He was a great mentor and like family to Rob. He will surely be missed. My heart goes out to all of the family.
I am so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. I still have fond memories of buying speed parts out of his garage over in old west Lawrenc, back in the 60’s. Don will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
I am so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. I still have fond memories of buying speed parts out of his garage over in old west Lawrenc, back in the 60’s. Don will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
I have many fond memories of Uncle Don. We spent many football weekends and Thanksgiving gatherings with Uncle Don and family. He had such a calm and cool strength about him. We will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers.
I have many fond memories of Uncle Don. We spent many football weekends and Thanksgiving gatherings with Uncle Don and family. He had such a calm and cool strength about him. We will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers.
Norma and Family. Was saddened by the news of Don’s passing. He had been a friend for many years. My thoughts are with you at this trying time.
Norma and Family. Was saddened by the news of Don’s passing. He had been a friend for many years. My thoughts are with you at this trying time.
Bob and Family,
So sorry to learn of Don’s passing.
If I had been a Ford guy, I’m sure we would have connected sooner. Don was born in the same year as my brother, and I enjoyed talking with him when I was in the shop. Glad you guys were there when I needed help.
R.I.P Don
Bob,
Sorry only left my first name earlier.
Roger Bain
i am very sorry to hear of Dons passing. i have dealt with him many times through the restoration parts company. always very knowledgeable and friendly. he will be missed. a great man… Dawn
Bob and I send our condolences to the entire Baxter family as our lives have had a long history with the family sharing good times and grandchildren, Ryan Courtney (Sherene) and their children, Emma Courtney and Owen Courtney, and Brett Courtney (Caitlin) and their daughter, Anna Courtney.
We love you all and are so sorrowful that with the passage of time life changes and we all must lose loved members of our families. It is certainly not easy to lose Don, a husband of Norma, and father of Kris Wilson and family and Robert Baxter and family. I know Don will be greatly missed by all of you. Friends as well are saddened and will miss him. We send our prayers for each of you and pray specifically for the blessings of God during this sad time. May God comfort you and give you peace. With God’s blessings, Bob and Phyllis Courtney
He also had another daughter that he never acknowledged… So sad for him and his family!