OAB Hall of Fame Member Ron Kirby, 1940-2022

The OAB is mourning the loss of former OAB Board chairman and Hall of Fame member Ron Kirby. The broadcaster and former Oklahoma State Representative passed away on May 29, 2022. Ron was 82.

Ron was a Broadcaster for 44 years, starting when only 12 running the breaks for network syndicated shows at KTMC, McAlester, OK. He also ran the first Rock ’n Roll show in Southeastern Oklahoma at the age of 14.

Ron joined KBIX, Muskogee in 1958 as Program Director and moved to KMUS as News Director in 1960. He was twice honored by UPI as their “Newsman of the Year”. He had stints at KSWO AM, KSWO TV, KCCO AM, and KRLG FM before becoming General Manager of the Radio Division for Drewry Communications stations KSWO, KRHD, and KKRX. Ron was a popular on-air personality with his morning show and his open-mic call in show, “Ron Kirby’s Public Forum”. Ron served Oklahoma broadcasters as the 1984 Chairman of the OAB Board. In 2004 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 pm Friday at Becker-Rabon Funeral Home, 1502 NW Fort Sill Blvd, Lawton, 73507. (580) 353-3030.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Becker-Rabon. Private family burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

The service and Ron’s complete obituary may be viewed at www.beckerfuneral.com.