The late country music icon Toby Keith was honored posthumously over the weekend at the University of Oklahoma’s commencement ceremony. Keith, who passed away from stomach cancer at the age of 62 in February, was informed prior to his death that he would be receiving an honorary doctorate from the university. His daughter, Krystal Keith, accepted the degree on his behalf, as shared in a heartfelt post on his Instagram account.
The caption accompanying photos of Krystal at the graduation ceremony read, “Toby learned he would be receiving an honorary degree from @uofoklahoma last fall, and yesterday, @krystalkeith accepted it on his behalf at the commencement ceremony. Congratulations to all of the OU graduates!”
In April, the university announced its decision to honor Toby Keith, highlighting his multifaceted contributions as a “singer, songwriter, entertainer and successful businessman.” Keith’s illustrious music career boasted more than 10 billion streams and 44 million albums sold. Beyond his musical achievements, his generosity significantly impacted the university and the state of Oklahoma over many decades.
Keith publicly disclosed his battle with stomach cancer in 2022, a condition he had been privately confronting since October 2021. Despite his health struggles, his legacy in music and philanthropy continued to thrive.
As the president of the Toby Keith Foundation, he was well-known for his charitable endeavors. Toby Keith’s personal life was marked by a strong family foundation. He and his wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia Lucas, shared three children: daughters Shelley and Krystal, and son Stelen.
Krystal’s acceptance of the honorary doctorate at the commencement ceremony served as a poignant tribute to her father’s enduring influence and contributions, both within the music industry and the broader community.
