Dr. John Minton Sr.

The fifth president of Western Kentucky University and a man who dedicated his life to education, Dr. John Minton Sr., 86, died early Sunday surrounded by his family.

Minton was president of the university from Jan. 8 to July 31, 1979, and during that time also served as vice president of academic affairs. During his time at Western, Minton was also associate dean of graduate instruction, dean of the graduate college and vice president for administrative affairs. He continued to teach during much of his time as an administrator. Minton had first come to Western in 1958 as a history professor.

He retired from Western in 1986 and continued to teach part-time. He chaired the faculty athletic committee during most of his time at Western and was a former president of the Sun Belt Conference.

Before coming to Western, the Trigg County native served in the Navy during World War II. He received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1943 and his master’s degree in history in 1947, both from the University of Kentucky. He received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1957.

Minton was also an instructor at the University of Miami and a member of the Broward County School System and the adult education program at the University of Miami from 1951 to 1953.

Minton then returned to his home county in 1953 and was principal of Trigg County High School in Cadiz until coming to Western. In Cadiz, he was involved in the beginning of integration efforts at the school district.

Dr. Dero Downing, who preceded Minton as Western president, said Minton was truly one of the outstanding history professors.

“He was recruited to Western by (former) President Dr. Kelly Thompson who became aware of Minton’s talents,” Downing said.

Minton was trusted and respected by everyone he met, Downing said.

“He was a marvelous example of a gracious, Christian gentleman,” he said.

Minton understood the mission and vision of Western and was able to refine and implement it, Downing said.

Part of Minton’s accomplishments at Western included the implementation of Title IX regarding women’s athletic programs.

“Dr. Minton was also very concerned about equality both in athletics and education,” Downing said.

Minton was always on the right side of issues, Downing said. He was always able to make sound rational arguments for positions that might be in opposition to what others thought.

In addition to being a great administrator and professor, Minton was also a great friend, Downing said.

The Western family has lost one of its most distinguished members, said Western President Gary Ransdell.

“Dr. Minton epitomized the WKU spirit. His dedication throughout his career on the hill is unparalleled. He was a mentor to an untold number of students, including myself,” Ransdell said. “Our thoughts and prayers go with his family even as we celebrate his tremendous career that is so intricately woven into the fabric of WKU’s history.”

Minton was a great man, said Yvette Haskins, a member of the WKU Board of Trustees and wife of former Western basketball coach Clem Haskins.

“We think quite a lot of Dr. Minton,” she said.

House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said Minton was dean of graduate studies when he came to Western in 1967.

“Dr. Minton was always very helpful,” Richards said. “He was just an outstanding man with high moral character.”

Minton cared deeply about students and others and was never too busy to help, Richards said.

“He was certainly a good history professor with high standards for students, but they weren’t unreasonable,” Richards said.

Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Broadway United Methodist Church, where Minton was a member. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with burial in Fairview Cemetery. Johnson-Vaughn-Phelps Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the church and the John D. Minton Graduate Fellowship through the College Heights Foundation at Western. The award recognizes the highest performing graduate student at the graduate commencement each year.

Minton is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Redick Minton; two sons, Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. and his wife, Susan Page Minton, of Bowling Green and Dr. J. Ernest Minton, a professor and associate director for research at the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station at Kansas State University and his wife, Teresa Ardery Minton, of Manhattan, Kan.; five grandchildren, Page Sullivan Minton and John D. Minton III, both of Bowling Green, and Dustin Cole Minton, James Zachary Minton and Christina Maria Minton of Manhattan, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.