Donald Charles SLAWSON

1933 - 2014  (80 years)

• Name	Donald Charles SLAWSON  [1]
  	August 12, 1933 - July 7, 2014 WICHITA, KS Donald C. Slawson, 80, lifelong resident of Wichita, passed away on July 7, 2014, from complications due to Alz-heimer's. Memorial Service will be 10:30 A.M., Friday, July 11, 2014, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Don was born in Wichita on August 12, 1933, the only child of Charles and Kathryn (Swanson) Slawson. He was a graduate of East High School and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1955 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Geology. Don was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and played on the University of Kansas freshman basketball team. He married his college sweetheart, Judy (Garver) Slawson, to whom he was married for 59 years. In 1957, Don founded Slawson Exploration - an independent oil and gas company which drilled over 4,000 operated wells in 10 states and at one time was the most active driller in the State of Kansas. Don also helped pioneer the horizontal drilling technique in Bakken Shale, ND in 1989 and Slawson Exploration remains a leader in drilling and production. Today, Slawson Companies employs more than 950 people in offices located in Wichita, Denver, Oklahoma City, Houston, Binger, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. Slawson Companies has grown from its core business of oil and gas exploration to include rotary drilling services, oilfield pipe and equipment supply, oilfield trucking, and oil and gas pipeline. Don served two terms on the National Petroleum Counsel - one under President Reagan and the other under President George H.W. Bush. Don also served on the Board of Directors of Intrust Bank from 1982 to 2010, Cessna Aircraft Corporation from 1979 to 1985, Kansas Gas & Electric Company, and Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Don was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents by Democratic Governor John Carlin and reappointed by Republican Governor Mike Hayden. He served on the Board for 8 years from 1986 to 1993 and was its chairman from 1987 to 1993. Don's support of the University of Kansas extended to both education and athletics. He was past President of the University Alumni Association and KU's Athletic Board. Don and Judy supported many Wichita community projects but their favorite project was the Slawson Family Tiger Trek at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Don is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Steve (Linda) of Oklahoma City, Craig (Denise) of Denver, Todd of Denver; five grandchildren, Kathryn, John, Robert, Taryn and Megan. The family would like to thank all of Don's loyal employees over the 57 years with a very special thanks to his caregivers during his last years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to either: Sedgwick County Zoo Elephant Project, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212, or Alzheimer's Association , Central & Western Kansas Chapter, 1820 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67214. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?pid=171660345#sthash.bjy2xvdA.dpuf
  Birth	12 Aug 1933	Wichita, Kansas   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	7 Jul 2014	Wichita, Kansas   [2]
  	Cause: Alzheimers
  Person ID	I51160	Main Tree
  Last Modified	31 Oct 2014

  
  

  Father	Charles Julius SLAWSON,   b. 11 Nov 1899, Girard, Crawford County, Kansas d. 22 Oct 1991 (Age 91 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Kathryn Augusta SWANSON,   b. 25 Feb 1905   d. 29 Nov 2002, Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas, USA (Age 97 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Marriage	01 Oct 1927	Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri   [1]
  Family ID	F24120	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S03336] Slason-Slauson-Slawson-Slosson Family by George C. Slawson dated 1946. [S6619] Obituary Notice for Donald Charles Slawson.