Katherine Hruby: The Cheerful Volleyball Spark Whose Duncan Legacy Refuses to Fade

Katherine Hruby’s story caught my attention when researching small-town Oklahoma’s quiet heroes. Her name evokes warmth. She was born in Duncan, Stephens County, on August 21, 1997, into prairie life and tight-knit neighborhoods. Katherine was full of activity from Plato Elementary to Duncan Middle School to Duncan High School, where she was a junior. She shined wherever she went, not because she sought attention.

Her passion shone on volleyball at Duncan High School. Three seasons on the varsity team, she started two as setter. The character fit her nicely. Setters control flow, read defenses, and raise teammates. Katherine did just that. She played in the 2014 Academic Class 5A state championship. First-year classmates voted her Volleyball Queen. She joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other college clubs off the court. Practice was never a hardship for her. She arrived each day determined to improve, knowing she could always improve.

Her towel is still mentioned by teammates. She waved it from the bench as a sign of encouragement when not playing. Katherine made seasons of laughter, according to a close acquaintance. Her grin could instantly brighten a bad day. She played light jokes, took stupid selfies on borrowed phones, and made sure no colleague felt alone. That joy wasn’t performance. Her genuine kindness touched everyone she knew.

Duncan was the Hrubys’ home since 1965. Their newspaper publishing story spans three generations. From Harrington Wimberly to Alexander Hruby to Katherine’s father, John, it has progressed. That legacy made the family visible in local life, business, and event stories.

Memphis, Tennessee, welcomed John A. Hruby on April 9, 1964. As a child, he moved to Duncan and joined the community. Duncan High School football player and Eagle Scout. His Bachelor of Business Administration was from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. There he met Joy “Tinker” Stein, his soulmate. Kerrville hosted their 1989 wedding. John earned a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma and flight training from Louisiana State University. After his father retired, he published The Duncan Banner for one year in August 1997. He took over The Marlow Review in 2007 and worked with Tinker to provide outstanding local journalism. John was vice president of the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation’s Board of Trustees and engaged in the Oklahoma Press Association. He led Boy Scout troops, participated on Eagle Boards of Review, constructed model airplanes, and played ham radios in his leisure time. His stability anchored Duncan and Marlow.

Joy “Tinker” Hruby was born in Kerrville, Texas, on August 12, 1966. Her Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Cameron University followed her marriage to John. She lavished love into every second grader at Mark Twain Elementary. Tinker directed Girl Scout groups, Joined Jaycee Janes, PEO Chapter BK, and civic organizations. She started Luna Investments in 2000 for real estate, property management, and renovations. Later jobs included asset recovery at First Bank and Trust and licensed private investigation. Both parents were passionate about the Stephens County Humane Society and organized Bark in the Park. Living in Duncan and running the Marlow business, they created a haven for youth and community service.

Around 1995, Katherine’s older brother Alan Joseph Hruby arrived. As an Oklahoma freshman in 2014, he had early college struggles. Public records show a 2013 credit-card incident delayed conviction with reparations and counseling. Like any family with teens, economics and independence caused conflict.

On 9 October 2014, the Hruby family’s world collapsed in one evening. Katherine, 17, her father John, 50, and her mother Tinker, 48, died at home near Marlow. Four days later, the veteran housekeeper found bodies on October 13. On October 14, 19, Alan confessed to Duncan police. In March 2016 he went before the court and pled guilty to three counts of first-degree murder. Three consecutive life sentences without parole were imposed on 10 March 2016. The community shook. On October 19, 2014, hundreds attended a memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Duncan. Near the altar were volleyball shirts and signed balls. The family was praised for their ethics, mentorship, and unobtrusive accomplishments. Instead of flowers, donations helped the Humane Society, Women’s Haven, and Boy Scouts.

In subsequent years, the family’s relatives turned mourning into something permanent. They created the Katherine Ann Hruby Scholarship through Duncan Public Schools Foundation and Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. The fund helps others achieve their goals in Katherine’s memory.

The Duncan High School senior ladies scholarship now awards $3,000 once. Apply with a 3.25 GPA and ACT composite of 24 or SAT equivalent. Selection committees emphasize character, leadership, and school activities. The prize is not limited to athletes, however Duncan High School girls’ volleyball players are preferred. Attending a four-year college or university is required. The program continues. Applications open 2 January 2026 and close 10 March 2026. Each year, a new graduate continues Katherine’s legacy.

I imagine Katherine’s smile lighting up the gym like spring sun breaking through Oklahoma clouds. Image feels timeless. She had more true connections in her brief life than most in decades. Local papers reflect the Hruby family’s newspaper roots. Their scouting and teaching influence youth. The grant assures volleyball courts and classrooms welcome ambitious students.

To keep the details clear, here is a compact timeline of key milestones in Katherine’s life and her family’s journey.

This timeline shows how one family’s presence stretched across decades of service before tragedy struck and how love turned loss into opportunity for others.

FAQ

Who was Katherine Hruby and what defined her high school years?

Katherine Ann Hruby was a 17-year-old junior at Duncan High School who poured her heart into volleyball. She played three seasons on the varsity squad and started two as setter. Her freshman year brought a Volleyball Queen nomination. She also participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other clubs. Friends remember her as the ultimate bench cheerleader who waved a towel, cracked jokes, and made sure everyone felt included. Her hard work helped the team win the 2014 Academic Class 5A state title. That combination of skill, spirit, and kindness made her stand out.

What roles did her parents John and Tinker Hruby play in the community?

John A. Hruby, born in 1964, served as an Eagle Scout, high school football player, and later publisher of both The Duncan Banner and The Marlow Review. He earned degrees from Schreiner University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Oklahoma while staying active in scouting, the Jaycees, and the Oklahoma Press Association. Tinker, born in 1966, taught second grade at Mark Twain Elementary, led Girl Scouts, founded Luna Investments for real estate work, and supported civic groups like PEO and the humane society. Together they balanced family life in Duncan with business in Marlow and mentored countless young people through scouting and community events.

How did the family’s newspaper legacy shape their lives?

Since 1965 the Hrubys had helped publish local papers across three generations. John continued that tradition with dedication, reporting community stories and upholding journalistic standards. Tinker joined him at The Marlow Review. Their work kept residents informed and connected. That public role made the family familiar faces and deepened their commitment to Duncan and Marlow.

What occurred in October 2014 and how did the legal process conclude?

In October 2014 Katherine, John, and Tinker lost their lives at the family home. Alan confessed shortly afterward. In March 2016 he entered a guilty plea to three counts of first-degree murder. The court sentenced him to three consecutive life terms without parole on 10 March 2016. The community mourned at a large memorial service on 19 October 2014 and has worked since then to focus on healing and positive remembrance.

How does the Katherine Ann Hruby Scholarship keep her memory alive?

The $3,000 one-time award goes to female Duncan High School graduates who meet a 3.25 GPA and ACT 24 minimum. Committees consider character, leadership, and activities, with special preference for volleyball players. Recipients must attend a four-year college. The fund stays active, with the 2026 cycle opening on 2 January and closing on 10 March. Each award carries Katherine’s encouragement forward, helping new students chase goals the way she chased perfection on the court.

Why does Katherine’s story still matter to Duncan residents today?

Her brief life reminds people that joy, effort, and kindness leave ripples that outlast any single person. The scholarship, the remembered volleyball seasons, and the family’s earlier service keep those ripples moving. In a town of 23,000, one teenager’s smile and work ethic continue to inspire graduates, athletes, and families who choose to honor her by lifting others.