Toby Keith's Daughter Accepts Honorary Degree On Her Late Father's Behalf

Toby Keith’s daughter, Krystal Keith, accepted her father’s honorary degree from the University of Oklahoma on his behalf at the commencement ceremony over the weekend.

Keith, who was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, was one of “four outstanding individuals” to receive an honorary degree at the ceremony on Saturday (May 11). The late country star learned last fall that he would receive the honorary degree from the University of Oklahoma, according to a post on his Instagram page on Sunday (May 12), which shared photos of Krystal accepting the honor at the commencement ceremony and congratulating the Class of 2024 graduates.

The beloved “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” artist “passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family,” following a years-long battle with stomach cancer that he fought “with grace and courage,” reads a statement that was shared to Keith’s social media pages in the early morning hours of February 6. He was 62. Keith had three children: son, Stelen Keith Covel, 27, and daughters Krystal, 38, and Shelly Covel Rowland, 44. Keith was “an avid OU sports fan and longtime donor,” and posthumously received his honorary degree alongside educator, economist and activist Barbara Ann Posey Jones, founder of Love’s Travel Stops and university supporter Tom E. Love, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient for his work on Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 spacecraft missions David Proctor, the University of Oklahoma announced in a press release last month.

“Through their exceptional talents, transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to serving others, each of this year’s Honorary Degree recipients has left an indelible mark on the world,” University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. previously said in a statement. “Their profound dedication has touched countless lives, and we take great pride in conferring the university’s highest honor upon them.”

Harroz posted a photo on X, formerly Twitter, expressing that he’s “so incredibly grateful to Tricia [Lucus, Keith’s wife] and Krystal Keith for joining us Saturday to celebrate the impact and legacy of (Toby Keith) with an honorary degree from (University of Oklahoma). Miss you and each and every day, TK.”