Kirby Minter was born on Nov. 23, 1929, in Marietta, Okla., the third and youngest son of W. J. Minter and Mae Forbes Minter. After a standout athletic career at Durant High School, he was named All-State and to the Oklahoma Prep All-Decade teams by the Jim Thorpe Athletic Association. For three seasons thereafter, Kirby went on to play for Southeastern State University basketball legend, Bloomer Sullivan, before departing from Durant to play for the Caterpillar Semi-Pro AAU Basketball Team in Peoria, Ill.
In 1952, he married Bonnie Lee Whitfield in Peoria, where both were employed by Caterpillar Tractor Co. As a member of the Caterpillar Cats Team, he helped lead the club to three straight national championships (1952-1954) before being selected to participate on Team USA in the 1954 FIBA World Basketball Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Team USA won nine straight victories, including the World Championship game against undefeated host, Brazil. As top scorer, Kirby was named Most Valuable Player as the USA claimed its first WBC Gold Medal.
In 1962, Kirby and Bonnie Minter moved to Oklahoma, to raise their family of five children, settling in Duncan, as Kirby and brother, A. J. Minter, invested in American Plating and Finishing Company. Through the years, Kirby retained an avid interest in sports, coaching for his children’s teams and being a continuing presence at area sporting events. He loved telling people he could be found listed on the Team USA webpage between NBA players Reggie Miller and Alonzo Mourning.
Sports notoriety continued to follow Kirby throughout his life. In 2007, he was honored as an Oklahoma standout player at the OKC Ford Center by Team USA member Chris Paul, then playing for the NBA Oklahoma City Hornets. Most recently, his high school hometown of Durant declared Jan. 4, 2008, as Kirby Minter Day, and later inducted him into Durant High’s Athletic Hall of Fame in March of last year.
He was a member for many years of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Reserve. Kirby also enjoyed attending services at Fair Baptist Church, and appreciated the friendship of Rev. David Spangler and the congregation there.
Kirby was beloved as a husband and father, grandfather and friend, and delighted friends and family with his wit and colorful stories. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers A.J. Minter and Earl Minter, and grandson Nick Minter, Sr. Survivors include wife Bonnie, of the home, and a large and lasting legacy of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Children are Rick and Nancy Minter; Jim and Sherry Minter; and Reggie and Shannon Minter, all of Duncan; as well as daughters Kathy Coleman and husband, Gary of Holdenville; and Kim Chambless and husband, Dana, of Duncan.
Grandchildren include Traci and Tommy Bentz, Vancouver, Washington; Bryan and Cappi Coleman, Holdenville; Cory and Amber Minter, Tulsa; Brent and Kari Minter, Ft. Worth, Texas; Damon and Jamie Minter, Edmond; Regina Minter, Lawton; Cody and Jeremy Seely, Comanche; Lindsey and John Burris, Comanche; Bree and Carly Chambless, Edmond; Brent and Rachel Finley, Seattle, Washington; and Brian Finley, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Great-grandchildren are Talon, Chaini and Wylder Coleman; Julia, Jacee and Nick Minter, Jr.; Tre, Dasmon and Daijah Vaugh; McKena, Gabrielle and Kamden Seely; Carter, Emry and Audrey Burris; Seanna, Avery, Elliana, and Justus Minter and Aislin Finley.
Bearers will be grandsons Bryan Coleman, Damon Minter, Cory Minter, Brent Minter, Jeremy Seely and John Burris.
Online condolences may be made at: www.granthamfuneralhomes.com.
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