David Layne Baxter

David Layne Baxter, 83, of Arkansas City, KS passed away Friday, September 29, 2023 at Hillcrest Medical Center of Tulsa, OK.

Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shelley Family Funeral Home to defray funeral expenses.

David was born on October 26, 1939 in Arkansas City, KS to parents Boyd and Frances (McCool) Baxter, he graduated from Ark City High School in 1956 and Ponca City Military Academy in 1957, he then joined the Army National Guard and served for 6 years. In 1957, he was united in marriage to the love of his life Sherrilyn Etoyle Webb. They made their home in Ark City and ran McCools Floral for over 40 years, he later opened “McCools This and That” in Winfield, and also worked as a business liquidator. David oversaw the Halloween Hassle in Ark City in the 70’s, he made the Arkalalah Queen floats and was a prom decorator for many years. He enjoyed boating and going to the lake. David also was a member of the Shriner's “Midian Temple Dune Buggy” group, Early Bird Lions Club, and was a wheeler-dealer who could sell anything.

Survivors include his daughters Lori (Greg) Sims of Newkirk, OK, and Juli (Stanley Dennis) Calabrese of Wichita, KS, and grandchildren Tiffani (Evan) York and Jared Sims. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and infant sister Phyllis Baxter.