Obituary of Donald Haxton

Don Haxton, 79, died April 29, 2010, at the Scott County Hospital, Scott City. Donald Harvey Haxton was the first baby born at Randall Hospital, Marysville, Ks., on June 10, 1930, the son of Ralph and Mary (Lockard) Haxton. He lived at Home City until he was seven-years-old when the family moved to Hanover where his father was an agent and telegrapher for the Union Pacific Railroad. He lived in Hanover during his school years, graduating from Hanover High School in 1947. Following graduation he served as an apprentice linotype operator and printer at the Hanover Democrat. He later worked at the Marysville Advocate and Centralia Journal before returning to work for the Hanover News in February 1950. He remained with the Hanover News until September 1950 when he began working for the Oakley Graphic until September 1951 when he was drafted in the U.S. Army. During his two years in the Army he was stationed in Japan for three months and 12 months in Korea. At the time of his discharge he was a Staff Sergeant. He returned to Oakley where he married Beula Walz on Sept. 6, 1953. The couple lived in Oakley briefly before moving to North Platte, Nebr., where he worked for a newspaper for three years and a commercial printing shop for nearly five years. The couple's three children, Rodney, David and Joni were born while they lived in North Platte. Don worked for the Eaton (Colo.) Herald for one year before the couple purchased their first weekly newspaper, The Glasco Sun, on June 1, 1962. During their six years in Glasco, the Haxtons were four-time winners of the Kansas Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest. Don joined a corporation that purchased The Hugoton Hermes, which he operated for one year before resigning so he could again purchase and operate his own newspaper. He worked briefly for the Norton Daily Telegram and Harlan County Journal (Alma, Nebr.) before the couple purchased The Kiowa County Signal, Greensburg, on April 1, 1970. On April 1, 1974, they purchased The Kinsley Mercury. The couple sold The Mercury to their son, Rod, and semi-retired from the newspaper profession in 1984 when they moved to Bella Vista, Ark. Their daughter, Joni was managing editor of The Signal until the newspaper was sold in 1986. During his 39 years in the newspaper and printing profession, Don received many honors from his peers and the communities in which he lived. One of the highlights was the Outstanding Journalist Award from the Southwest Kansas Editorial Association which was presented by his son, Rod, who was SWKEA president at the time. Don was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, PGA Tour Partners Club and a member of the USGA. He was also a past board of director of the Kansas Press Association. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed big band music. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Rod, and wife, Kathy, Scott City, David and wife, Sherri, McPherson; daughter, Joni Pottberg, and husband, Randy, Salina; four grandchildren, Jade Haxton, Heather Haxton, Jaci Pottberg and Dustin Pottberg; two step-grandchildren, Tony and Melissa Jasnoch; a sister, Marjorie Jeambey, Lincoln, Nebr.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bob; two grandsons, Tyler and Ryan Haxton; and two brothers-in-law, Bob Harder and Leo Jeambey. Funeral services will be held on Mon., May 3, 11:00 a.m., at Price and Sons Funeral Home, Scott City. Inurnment will be held at the Oakley Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Ryan Haxton SCHS Field House Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home, 401 Washington, Scott City, Ks. 67871, or to the Scott Community Foundation.