Dr. Boyd Franklin "Cotton" Converse
Feb 18, 1932 - May 31, 2010
Posted by April Isenberg

Clark Funeral Service

Funeral Services for Dr. Boyd Franklin "Cotton" Converse will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Calvary Baptist Church in Tishomingo with Rev. Eugene Ledford officiating, assisted by Brother Charley Cabaniss. Interment will follow in the Condon Grove Cemetery in Milburn, Oklahoma with Military Honors provided by The Chickasaw Nation Honor Guard

Dr. Converse was born February 18, 1932 at Barefoot Corner, presently known as Converse Rd. in Milburn Oklahoma.  He passed away May 31, 2010,
at the age of 78. Dr. Converse graduated from Milburn High School in 1950. From there he continued his education and sports career at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he still holds the record for receiving 11 varsity letters for athletics. After graduating in 1954 he enlisted in the United States Army where he played various sports.  In 1957 he began his coaching career at Paris Junior College. While in Paris, Texas; he led his 1959 baseball team to the national championship and took the basketball team to fourth place in the national tournament as head coach. From Paris Boyd went to Baylor University as an assistant coach and finished his doctoral degree. In 1964 Boyd became head football coach of Kilgore College where he amassed a record of 24-7-1 over three years and a National Championship in 1966. These accomplishments garnered him conference coach of the year all three years and National Coach of the Year in 1966. These accomplishments vaulted him to a NCAA Division I head coach at Wichita State University where he later retired from the sidelines to go into administration. He became Athletic Director at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College where he continued his championship success for 18 years. Later Boyd became president of Carl Albert Junior College in Poteau then ended his career in the same state where it began finishing  in the public school systems of Garland, TX before retiring to his home place in Wiley, Oklahoma less than a mile from his birthplace.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Bert and Avor Converse, a Son Boyd Edward Converse a brother Kenneth Converse.  Survivors are his wife Mary of the home, Two Daughters Cris Johnston and husband Ed of Tulsa Oklahoma and Angela Cabaniss and husband Charley of Milburn, One Son Derek Converse and wife Stacie of Colorado Springs, Co. One special son Terry Reisig and wife Annie of Tyler, Texas. Four granddaughters Bella and Jolie Converse and Gabby and Mercy Cabaniss. One Grandson Camden Boyd Cabaniss.  Two sisters: Nadine Faulk of Dallas, Texas and Maxine Neely and Husband Johnny of Milburn;   Numerous nieces and Nephews and Friends.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday June 3rd at Calvary Baptist Church in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Reverend Eugene Ledford and Brother Charley Cabaniss officiating. Paul Bearers are Orland Aldridge, Rollie Williams, Glen Wolf, Randy Gibson, Larry Gibson and Tim McElroy. Honorary Paul bearers are surviving members of the 1966 National Junior College championship football team from Kilgore College. Interment will be at Condon Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Milburn Education Foundation PO BOX 429 Milburn, Oklahoma 73450 in memory of Dr. Converse.