Donald Laws, Oct. 19, 1936 – Jan. 17, 2015
by ProRodeo.com | Jan 21, 2015
DALLAS – Donald P. Laws, the President of Wrangler from 1995-2002 and the man who negotiated the deal that made Wrangler the title sponsor of the National Finals Rodeo starting in 2001, died Jan. 17 surrounded by family and friends. He was 78.
Born in Pensacola, Fla., Laws spent his childhood with his three brothers Byron, Neil and Frank, along with their beloved parents, Margaret and Robert Laws. There he fostered his love as a sportsman and avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing that continued throughout his life.
After graduating from the University Florida, Laws moved to Dallas in 1960. Initially beginning his career in the insurance business, he quickly transitioned into the garment and uniform business, a path on which he would spend the next 42 years of his career in both sales and management, culminating with his tenure at Wrangler headquarters in Greensboro, N.C.
“Don Laws was the perfect man for the Wrangler brand during his presidency” said PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “He was a true fan and great supporter of Professional Rodeo. Mr. Laws was instrumental in the original contract negotiations that established Wrangler as the title sponsor of the National Finals Rodeo. The professional rodeo world has lost one of the true champions of our sport.”
A lifelong enthusiast of the rodeo, Don was able to accomplish what so few can ever claim by attaining what would best be described as his dream job. Rodeos, outdoor adventures and too many life experiences to count followed as Don served as an ambassador for the Wrangler brand and the Cowboy way of life.
Retiring in 2002, Laws and his wife returned to Dallas to settle down near their grandchildren Riley, Keely, Jackson and Blakely. It did not hurt that Ashley and Chase lived nearby as well.
Laws continued to hunt and fish with his friends, Earl Hudman, Keith Cox, and Steve Watts, until ultimately they ran off all the quail in West Texas.
Most important to Laws was the woman that he was so proud to call his wife for 44 years, Amber. For a man who achieved such excellence in the professional world and experienced some of the finest things life has to offer, none could ever question the commitment Don had to his beautiful wife and loving family.
Services will be 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. Donations in his memory may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
Courtesy of PRCA