Don "The Lawman" Slatton

1935 - 2013

Don "The Lawman" Slatton

ABILENE

Don "The Lawman" Slatton, prominent Abilene Wrestler and Bail Bondsman, died Friday, August 23, 2013 at an Abilene Hospital. Visitation will be at Elmwood Funeral Home Tuesday, August 27th from 6-8 P.M. Funeral services will held be at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Trinity Baptist Church, 871 Woodlawn Drive, Abilene, TX with burial following at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 US Hwy. 277 South. Pallbearers are Wrestler Terry Funk, Judge John Weeks, Attorney Bob Lindsey, Attorney Trace Burke and Nephews: Donnie McReynolds, and Jeremy McReynolds.

Donald Stewart Slatton was born August 4, 1935 to William Murphy Slatton and Eula Lee Stewart Slatton at their home 2 miles South of Cisco, Texas. He spent his childhood in Eastland County, attending Scranton schools and graduating from Olden High School. He attended Cisco Junior College prior to service in the U.S. Army and Ranger Junior College after his discharge from the Army. He married Sylvia Jeanne Latham on May 10, 1958 in Eastland, Texas. They were blessed with one daughter, Donna Jeanne Slatton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Murphy and Eula Slatton; parents-in-law, Homer and Polly Latham; brother, Bill Slatton; sisters, Virginia Marvin and Wanza Barr; brothers-in-law, Robert "Bob" Latham, Bill Marvin, John Harris, Gerald Parks and Jimmy Barr; and sister-in-law, Betty Slatton.

Don served with the Abilene Police Department for 4 years. He then became a professional Wrestler for 20 years, wrestling under the name of "The Lawman." He was a favorite with wrestling fans throughout the Big Country, always being the good guy in the ring. He also traveled the wrestling circuit throughout the Country including Texas, Colorado and New Mexico as well as the North Eastern States. After a few years he and his wife, Sylvia, began promoting wrestling and held weekly matches in Abilene and traveled to neighboring counties for monthly matches. During this time he also played bit parts in several movies with stars, Sylvester Stallone, Cher, Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell and Jackie Chan. In 1982 Don retired from wrestling and he and Sylvia, along with Bill Olson, started SOS Bail Bonds which Don managed until his retirement in 2007.

He was a gentle giant who quietly helped the homeless and provided jobs and low rent housing for many. He was a long time member of Trinity Baptist Church. He was considered a Gentleman Bail Bondsman and was respected by law enforcement and judges alike. He provided a Bible to each person he helped get out of jail in hope that they would find a new path for their life. He had a huge following of wrestling fans and rarely went anywhere without being recognized and asked for an autograph, even after his retirement. Don loved to fish and hunt and especially enjoyed elk hunting trips in Colorado with his brothers-in-law. He was a great story teller and enjoyed reliving these trips and adding his special twist on how many fish he caught or how big his elk or deer was. Most of all, he enjoyed life and having fun with his family. He will be missed by many.

Don is survived by his wife, Sylvia of Abilene; daughter, Donna and her fiance, Braden Bacha of Malibu, CA; sister, Gloria Parks, and brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Shirley Slatton all of Abilene. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Pauline (Latham) and Bill Clements and Earline Latham all of Eastland and Victor and Janice Latham of Abilene as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Slatton family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Kleinhaus, the ICU staff, Hendrick's Hospice, and our numerous family and friends for the many acts of kindness shown to us during his illness. The kind words, visits and prayers were very much appreciated. A special thanks to Don's caregiver, Lolly Flores, for her love and care the last two years.

In lieu of flowers, the Family requests charitable donations be made to Rescue the Animals- SPCA, 4620 North 1st Street Abilene, Texas 79603. Condolences may be offered to the Family online at www.elmwoodfuneral.com.