Donald Charles Kirberger

Donald Charles Kirberger was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 13, 1929, to Robert Earl Kirberger and Margaret "Margo" Jordan Kirberger. He passed from this life on August 25, 2025. A life-long Tulsan, Don graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1946. Following graduation, he attended the University of Tulsa and graduated in January of 1951. The day after graduation, he left for officer training in the Navy where he remained in San Diego for 4 years. During that time, he married his college sweetheart, Clevanne McGhee Kirberger where they said they had a 2-year honeymoon in San Diego one block from the beach. Don played basketball for TU and during his time in the Navy. After returning to Tulsa, he began a 20-year run of refereeing basketball and football for high school and college games. One of his refereeing highlights was refereeing one of the first games in the Houston Astrodome! Don was a custom home builder and often became good friends with his customers and especially his contractors that did quality work and were dependable. He had the respect of the contractors and they remained loyal to him throughout his life. At 96, he often said he outlived most of them! His devotion to TU was legendary. With Clevanne working in the TU Athletic department for 20 years, they were active working with the Hurricane Club for all the basketball and football games. They often traveled for away games and hosted alumni gatherings. Many of their closest friends were made through their connections with TU. Don was known for fixing things and getting things done! He always had a running punch list and planned ahead to be ready to go and well prepared. He loved his time with family and friends at Fort Gibson Lake where there was always work to be done! In his younger years, he enjoyed sailing, fishing, boating. And later, bird watching on the deck was a favorite past time. Spotting an eagle was always a treat. Don liked to work jigsaw puzzles and especially in his later years, always had a puzzle to work as he watched Gunsmoke or a John Wayne movie. His favorite sports teams were Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs. Don is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Clevanne McGhee Kirberger; his daughter Margaret Ann "Annie" Kirberger; his parents; sister Margaret "Ann" Nelson: brothers William Jordan "Bill" Kirberger and Robert "Bob" Earl Kirberger, Jr; brother-in-law Fred Nelson; sisters-in-law Jody Kirberger and Phyllis Kirberger; and son-in-law, Larry Arnold. He is survived by his daughter, Donna Arnold and her son, Spencer Arnold and many nieces and nephews. The Memorial Service will be held on September 8, Monday, 2:00pm at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 2929 E 31st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Tulsa Athletic Department or John Knox Presbyterian Church. Moore Southlawn 918-663-2233

Donald Charles Kirberger

April 13, 1929 - August 25, 2025