Don G. Baxter

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.