Stephen “Steve” Broadnax Kirven, 63, left this earth and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 21, 2020, after a three-year battle with cancer.
Steve was born May 22, 1957, in Newport News, Va. to Rev. Ross and Joanne (Hixon) Kirven.
His family moved to Durant when he was in the fifth grade. He was a proud member of the Durant High School Class of 1975 and was a Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduate who majored in business with a minor in history. He married Shelia Vails on March 25, 1983, and together they had two daughters, Kassidy and Ashley.
Steve was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Durant, serving over the years in many capacities including Elder, Deacon, and member of the Pastor Nominating Committee, Personnel Committee, Christian Education Committee, Worship Committee and longtime member of the choir. He also served on the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery for several years. He was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity at SOSU and a founding member of the Sigma Tau Gamma Mu Chapter Alumni Association, where he also served as treasurer for a period of time. Steve was a member of Durant Elks Lodge #1963, Colbert Masons Lodge #8, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (32nd degree, McAlester, OK), the Bedouin Shriners, Little Dixie Shrine Club of Durant, and a lifetime member of the Royal Order of the Duck Bluebill Flight.
He worked for JC Potter Sausage Company for more than 30 years, first as a route driver and then as the Director of Purchasing. He went on to work for five years at Indian Nation Wholesale in the beverage department. He considered his INW team and co-workers a second family. He loved playing golf, riding his motorcycle, hanging out with his friends and OU football.
Steve was so proud of his daughters. They meant the whole world to him. He claimed their husbands as his sons. He had a special adoration for his grandchildren, and being their Poppa the last five years gave him special joy. He always looked forward to the times when he could see them and watch them play. They were his pride and joy.
Steve is survived by his wife of 37 years, Shelia Kirven; daughters, Kassidy Conway and husband Chris, and Ashley Kirven-Bobier and husband Cort; grandchildren, Elliott and Emily Conway, and Henry Kirven-Bobier; his parents, Rev. Ross and Joanne Kirven; brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Sandy Kirven; aunt, Donna Trent; mother-in-law, Judy Vails; sister-in-law, Wilma Moss; brother-in-law, Larry Pace and wife Carolyn; brother-in-law, Dock Dill; special family David and Cathy Conway, and Donna Bobier; nieces-in-law, and nephews-in-law; special cousins; many other relatives; and many friends and fraternal brothers.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jack and Johnnie Kirven, and Bennie and Mary Lou Hixon; father-in-law Cecil Vails; sisters-in-law Brenda Hill and Maxine Dill; brothers-in-law David Moss and Jimmy Hill; and his cousin Johnny Capps.
Steve requested any donations or memorials be made to the Shriner Children’s Hospital. Checks can be sent to the Little Dixie Shrine Club, PO Box 1004, Durant, OK 74702.
A graveside service will be held at the Highland Cemetery pavilion in Durant on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at 10 a.m. Mr. Skip Robinson will officiate the service, and full Masonic Rites will be conducted by Colbert Lodge No. 8. Steve was blessed in his life with a tremendous number of friends and family. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has requested that the service be limited to family only. Others are invited to join in spirit via a live streaming of the service on the Holmes Coffey Murray Facebook page.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.