Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Terry D. Britton

A native Oklahoman, Terry Britton was born in a farming area in Redstone Valley, eight miles west of Anadarko, which is home to one of the first Baptist missions built in the early 1900s to serve the Kiowa Nation and other tribes. Farmers in the area, including the Brittons, tilled mostly small acreages dedicated to cotton, corn, and peanuts. 

In 1943, Britton’s family included his parents, Charlie and Irma, and five siblings. A sister followed in 1950. All the older children began their education at Washita Public School. Terry attended the first grade there in 1949-1950. In 1950, the school was marked for closure, and the children were transferred to Anadarko Public Schools, where Terry would attend until graduation in 1961.   
By 1951, the children were being reared by a single parent, their mother. In 1955, the family moved into the town of Anadarko itself, having lost possession of the farm. In town, all the children found work where they could, part-time at stores, cafes and other institutions that served local residents. Britton’s first job was as a newspaper boy. After that, he worked at the movie theater and the local drugstore. His mother worked as a nurse’s aide at the local hospital during those lean years.   

After graduation, Britton enrolled at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He attended SWS from 1961-1965, graduating with honors. After earning his bachelor’s degree in English, the department chair, Dr. Gladys Bellamy, recommended him for a graduate assistant position at the University of Oklahoma to teach freshman English. He remained at OU through the Fall 1971, completing his master’s degree and qualifying for the doctoral program. In January 1972, he became a full-time faculty member at Oscar Rose Junior College, now Rose State College. In 1973, he moved to administration as director of the Learning Resource Center, advancing to vice president of information services, vice president of academic affairs, executive vice president, and finally president, serving as the latter from 2006 until 2013. In 1981, Rose State College granted him a sabbatical to complete work on his doctorate, which he received in December of that year. 

Retired now, Britton lives in Norman with his wife, Kay. His three sons also live in the area, while his daughter resides in Lafayette, Indiana.