Donald C. Slawson

Slawson, Donald C., 80, a lifelong resident of Wichita, passed away July 7, 2014, from complications due to Alzheimers. Memorial services will be at Eastminster Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 11, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. 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 University of Kansas (1955) with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Geology. Don was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and played on the KU freshman basketball team. He married his college sweetheart, Judy (Garver) Slawson, to whom he was married for 59 years. In 1957, Don founded Slawson Companies - an independent oil exploration 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 helped pioneer the horizontal drilling technique in the Bakken Shale in ND in 1989 and the company remains a leader in drilling the Bakken today. Slawson Co. employs more than 950 people in offices located in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and North Dakota. Slawson Co. has grown from its core business to include drilling rigs, crude oil marketing and several other oilfield services. Don served two terms on the National Petroleum Counsel. One of Dons proudest achievements was the development of NewMarket Square shopping center. He helped develop the Tallgrass community and its associated commercial and residential real estate. He served on many area boards and committees including Intrust Bank; Cessna Aircraft; KG&E; Security Benefit Life; Kansas Health Foundation; Downtown Development Committee; WI/SE; Airport Advisory Board; Area Sports Commission and the Wichita Collegiate School Board. Don devoted a tremendous amount of time to improving higher education in Kansas. He was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents for 8 years and was its Chairman from 1987 to 1993. Don was the driving force behind the creation of the Margin of Excellence Program to increase funding for professors to retain them in Kansas. Don felt strongly that “Our ability to attract and retain business in Kansas depends upon the quality of our institutions of higher education.” Dons support of the University of Kansas extended to both education and athletics. He was a past President of the KUs Alumni Association and its 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, and Todd of Denver; and five grandchildren, Kathryn, John, Taryn, Megan and Robert. Don was preceded in death by his parents. The family would like to thank all of Dons loyal employees over the last 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 Exhibit, 5555 W Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212, or Alzheimers Association, Central Western Kansas Chapter, 1820 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67214. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.