Manton M. "Matt" Kinslow

Manton M. 'Matt' Kinslow was born on January 9, 1929, in Schoolton, Seminole County, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Saturday, April 12, 2008, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 79. Matt, the son of Thomas Calvin and Florence M. McGehee Kinslow, was a long-time resident of the Prague and Seminole area. He graduated from Excelsior High School. Matt was drafted out of high school by the Chicago White Sox to play baseball, but learned quickly that he could make more money in the oilfield. He proudly served his country in North Africa with the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Matt married Joan Walker on March 21, 1953 in Oklahoma City. Following his discharge as a Staff Sergeant, Matt went to work in the oilfield as a roughneck in the oilfield and for Baker Oil Tools in Woodward. He and Joan opened their first restaurants in Woodward – Matt''s 66 Caf and the Hi-Lo. While living in Woodward, he met one of the co-founders of the Sonic restaurants, Charlie Pappe, and decided his future was with Sonic. In 1962, Matt and Joan opened their first Sonic in Liberal, Kansas. He and long-time partner, Marvin Jirous, co-owned Sonic Supply Company for many years. Matt and Joan moved to the Prague and Seminole area in 1969. They were partners in the Kinslow Sonic Group operating Sonics in Oklahoma, Texas, and Mississippi. Matt and Joan were also partners in the Catfish Roundup at I-40 and Hwy 99; and the operation of the 5K Ranches. At the time of his death, Matt was president of Kinslow Sonic Group. He was a past director of the First National Bank in Prague and served many years on the board of directors of the Sonic Industries. He was the recipient of the first Troy Smith Award, Sonic''s most coveted lifetime achievement award. Matt was a past president of the Oklahoma Charolais Association, past president of the North American French Charolais Association, a member of the Prague Masonic Lodge, a 32nd Degree Mason of the Guthrie Consistory, and a Shriner of the India Temple. He was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church of Seminole. Matt''s wife of 55 years, Joan, preceded him in death on February 28, 2008. His parents, one brother, one sister, and two infant siblings also preceded him in death. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Gary W. and Debra Kinslow of Prague, Larry and Rhonda Kinslow of Seminole; daughter, Terry Wegley of Kellyville; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.M. 'Marvin' and El Reno Kinslow of Terrell, TX, Dale and Bea Kinslow of Shawnee; sister, Juanita Collier of Okemah; grandchildren, Ryan Van Meter, Chris Van Meter, Morgan Wegley, Matt Kinslow and his wife Kim, Brooke Kinslow Case and her husband Brett, Kelli Johnson and her husband Bill Cody, Mandy Root, Jessica Kinslow, Lauren Root, Clinton Kinslow; great-grandchildren, Captain Van Meter, Kyler Kinslow, Hayden Kinslow, Jaycee Johnson, Lillie Johnson, Kelby Vass; brother-in-law, Don Walker and his wife Jackie of Minco; sisters-in law, Donnie Kinslow of Cromwell, Carolyn Heartsill and her husband Jim of Yukon; Shirley Roberts and her husband Jerry of Brownwood, TX. Matt''s family requests that memorials be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607-1460. www.ShrinersHQ.org The family will receive friends at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague on Monday, April 14, 2008, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 2:00 PM, at the First Baptist Church in Prague with Bro. Tim Emmons officiating. Interment will follow at Little Cemetery in Seminole County.