Don was born July 5, 1951, in Ulysses, Kansas, to Nadine and Marlowe Lankford and grew up in the Kansas City area. He graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1969. Don also graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in biology (1975) and civil engineering (1981). He married Sandy (Owen) Lankford on July 5, 1980.

His career in the oil and gas industry took him to Sterling, Colorado (1980); Vernal, Utah (1984); Maracaibo, Venezuela (1996); Trinidad, Colorado (1999); and Castle Rock, Colorado (2006).

Don’s favorite hobbies included golfing, traveling, snorkeling, scuba diving, and elk hunting in the Book Cliffs, Diamond Mountain and Vermejo Ranch. He loved fly fishing on the Green and South Platte Rivers, and salmon fishing around Hippa Island in British Columbia. He enjoyed following most sports, but had a true passion for KU basketball.

Survivors include Don’s loving wife of 34 years, Sandy Lankford, son Nate (Deedra) Lankford, daughters Emily (Chris) Kennedy and Lindsay (Matt) Herrera; grandchildren Savanah, Chester, Macabee, Marlowe and Oscar Lankford; Austin and Owen Kennedy; siblings Marcia (Bruce) Plankinton, Alan (Pat) Lankford, Perry (Tamara) Lankford and Brad (Lauri) Lankford; and close family friends Amy and Dee Bird.

All who knew Don will treasure the memories they made with him. His smile was contagious and he always had a reason to be happy. Most will recall that Don had a great way of making everyone want to be around him. He always made people laugh and his stories were second to none.

Services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3737 New Hope Way, Castle Rock, Colorado. A reception will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, Don’s family requests that contributions in Don’s honor be sent to the University of Kansas Endowment to fund the School of Engineering’s Enhanced Learning Fund, PO Box 928, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 or at www.KUEndowment.org