He was born on September 29, 1927, in Dewey, Washington County, Oklahoma; the first of four children to Glenn Fremont Layton Sr. and Edythe Josephine Huffman Layton. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Leanor Whitley, on May 23, 1948. Don and Lee were blessed with seventy years of marriage.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Glenn Fremont Layton Jr.
Don is survived by his wife Lee and their three sons: Brad Layton and wife Carol Ann, Kirk Layton and wife Brenda, and Darin Layton and wife Donna; six grandchildren: Erica Layton Andersen and husband Tim, Ellen Layton Hill and husband T.J., Greg Layton and wife Amber, Stephen Layton and wife Belinda, Davonne Layton Berry and husband Austin, and Dené Layton Geistweidt and husband Seth; twelve great grandchildren: Isaac Andersen, Oliver Andersen, Evelyn Andersen, Emeline Hill, Bradley Hill, Eliza Hill, Graham Layton Hill, Madeline Layton, Nathan Layton, Morgan Layton, Sylas Layton, and Donovan Ray Geistweidt; a brother Robert Layton of Kansas, a sister Beverly Layton Dumler of Kansas, a sister-in-law Rose Marie Whitley Wood of Missouri, and a host of nieces and nephews and their families
Don grew up in the oil field in Wellsville, Kansas, and at age 11 worked part time as pumper and roustabout for his father, and also did farm work at harvest time and whenever work was available. During high school, he worked full time as an oilfield pumper, as well as playing football (running back and receiver) on the winning football team.
After graduation, Don joined the United States Army in 1945. After basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington, he entered Officer Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and at graduation was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. His two-year military service was in Japan & Korea, and he was honorably discharged in November, 1947.
During the next few years he worked as an oilfield pumper for his father. In 1955, Ambassador Oil Corp. hired Don as Field Supervisor over oil properties at Caprock, New Mexico. In 1965 Ambassador Oil Corp. sold to Anadarko Petroleum Corp., and Don was promoted to New Mexico District Superintendent. During those past working years, he had studied and completed courses through International Correspondence Schools and received a diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology. In 1973, he became Division Manager for Shenandoah Oil Corp. in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Don’s lifelong dream was to set up his own oil production company, and in 1975, at age 48, the opportunity came to take this big step! Layton Enterprises, Inc. was formed, and oil properties in Texas & New Mexico were acquired and put into production. He was a member of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). During all the years of building the business, Don was always happy that his wife and sons worked alongside him. After 32 successful business years, the company, Layton Enterprises, Inc., was sold to a Tulsa, Oklahoma company in 2007, and Don retired.
The most important thing in Don’s life was his faith in his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. As a child, he attended the First Baptist Church of Wellsville, Kansas, with his family, and at age 10 in 1938 at Royal Ambassadors Camp Christie near Scott City, Kansas, he was saved, accepting Christ into his heart during the invitational hymn, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” When he and Lee moved to New Mexico in 1956, they attended the little Caprock Baptist Church, far out in the country near the oilfield camp where they lived. Later, the family moved to Lovington and joined First Baptist Church, where all three of Don’s sons were saved and baptized. Don taught the 10-year-old boys Sunday School class. In Lubbock, Don and Lee served at Highland Baptist Church for many years, and for the last two decades they have faithfully attended Indiana Avenue Baptist Church.
Second only to his faith, the closest thing to Don’s heart has always been his family. Don and Lee were blessed with seventy years of marriage. When their sons were young, he coached Little League and Pony League baseball for six years, including two championship seasons. Don and Lee enjoyed taking their sons camping when they were young, and when the kids grew up, they enjoyed traveling in their RV on trips for just the two of them. They particularly enjoyed the Grand Canyon area.
With regard to Don’s philosophy and outlook on life, his “code to live by” consisted of two elements: a positive attitude, and a sense of humor. In addition to those two characteristics, he will always be remembered for his encouraging spirit, solid integrity, and unfailing determination. His priorities remained steadfast throughout his life: faith, family, and friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 21, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home.
A Memorial service for Mr. Layton will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Hospice of Lubbock.
