George Nigh obit

George Nigh, former Oklahoma governor, legislator and veteran, dead at age 98

George Nigh, former Oklahoma governor and state legislator, died Wednesday, according to family and friends. 

He was not on the list.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

George Nigh, former Oklahoma governor and state legislator, died Wednesday morning, according to family and friends.

Nigh died at home surrounded by his family. He was 98. The body of the former governor will lie in state on the fourth-floor rotunda at the Capitol from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.

Former governor Brad Henry described the beloved Oklahoman as a “dear friend” and “mentor.”

“If I compiled a list of the top five people who had the greatest impact and influence on my life, George Nigh, along with my parents, would be on it,” Henry said. “George was a long-time dear friend, a mentor, and a true public servant. He was a great man, but, perhaps more importantly, he was a really good guy. Few, if any, have had as significant of an impact on our state for as long as George did.”

Former governor Frank Keating also spoke of Nigh’s importance to the state.

“George Nigh captured his age. He loved Oklahoma. Totally. He loved his family. Totally. The “state of his State was great.” He believed. He was a man of love, humility, and goodness. We loved him for who he was and what he was. We shall miss him terribly,” Keating said.

Born in McAlester in 1927, Nigh was one of five children and worked in his parent’s grocery store as a child. When asked by a teacher at age 14 what he wanted to be in life, Nigh reportedly responded, “I wanna be governor!”

After graduating from McAlester High School in 1945, Nigh went on to serve in the Navy as a “plane handler” on the pilot-training ship USS Ranger until he was discharged in 1946. He then studied at East Central State College in Ada, graduating with a teaching degree, according to Nigh biographer, Bob Burke.

While at the university, Nigh campaigned for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Not owning a car, Nigh reportedly hitchhiked from Ada to McAlester every weekend to campaign.

At only 22, Nigh won the election, and was the youngest member of the Oklahoma legislature.

In 1958, Nigh was elected as lieutenant governor. Only 31 at the time, he was the youngest to be elected to the position.

Nigh left office in 1963, the year he met Donna Mashburn, who he would later marry.

Three years later, Nigh was re-elected as Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor.

He decided to run for governor in 1978 as former governor David Boren had chosen to run for a U.S. Senate seat. Both Nigh and Boren won their elections, with Nigh taking on the role 5 days early in 1979 as Boren left to assume his seat in the U.S. Senate.

In 1982, Nigh was re-elected governor, the first at the time to have ever been re-elected for a second full term. He also carried all 77 counties, the first candidate to do so.

“As Governor, George greatly increased the number of minorities on state boards and commissions and as head of state agencies. He made history by appointing Alma Wilson and Yvonne Kauger as the first women justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court,” Burke said about Nigh. “He also championed an effort to consolidate the hundreds of state boards and commissions and created a mini-cabinet system to increase communication among agency heads. He elevated programs and salaries in public schools, higher education, and vocational-technical schools, and was the catalyst for establishing the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City as one of the top 10 in the nation.”

Nigh went on to serve as president of the University of Central Oklahoma from 1992 to 1997.

“Throughout the decades of service, Donna was always at George’s side. His eyes always twinkled when he genuinely proclaimed that she was the greatest thing that ever happened to him in his life. George assisted Donna in establishing and maintaining the Donna Nigh Foundation to provide services to Oklahoma’s developmentally disabled,” Burke said.

Nigh is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna; daughter, Georgeann Duty, and husband Steve; his sister, Mary Cargill; granddaughters Macy and Ayla; grandsons, Chase, Berry, and Gray Mashburn.

The family will announce a public memorial service later.

A number of former Oklahoma leaders issued statements about their memories of Nigh after the news of his death. Read their full statements below.

Gov. Kevin Stitt

I’m saddened to hear of the loss of a true Oklahoma statesman and public servant. George Nigh guided Oklahoma through difficult times and led with kindness and humility. Sarah and I are praying for his wife Donna and their family and friends as they remember and honor a life well lived.

Former Gov. Mary Fallin

Governor George Nigh was a remarkable man who deeply loved Oklahoma and its people. His long and distinguished service set a standard for public leadership grounded in integrity, bipartisanship, and humility. He was a very devoted and gifted speaker who inspired many generations with his words, energy, and optimism. He devoted his life not just to governing, but to elevating our state’s spirit—whether through promoting Oklahoma tourism, supporting education, or simply being a good neighbor. He was the kind of statesman every generation hopes for. Oklahoma is better because he walked among us and we will miss him.

Former Gov. David Walters

I can say without exaggeration that a great man has left this life…a great, great man. He believed in public service and devoted his life to it as a legislator, Lieutenant Governor, and served as Governor longer than any other. But the elected positions paled to who he was, a devout Oklahoman, always encouraging others to work together for the common good. He avoided partisanship and discouraged negative campaigning. He believed and preached that public service is a noble profession and that politics in a democracy was necessary to have public service. He loved Donna and all his family. He stayed in touch with hundreds of friends with frequent calls and continued to speak to thousands, delivering his last speech to a packed house of 950 people in Tulsa on June 28 after being checked out of the Mercy Hospital ICU on June 26 for pneumonia. Every time I went to see him in the ICU he would raise up and ask me how many tickets had been sold! He was so happy to receive the first ever Albert Nigh Award for a lifetime of public service and after he was seated, he still led the crowd in a raucous singing of Oklahoma!, which he personally as a young legislator got adopted as our state song.

He and Donna were so happy to celebrate his 98th birthday with a few friends and family. George pioneered the line that he updated annually by saying, “no one wants to be 98 unless you are 97!”. He was always graciously thanking others for helping him when it was him who lifted up all around him.

He seemed to be working his bucket list for the last few months. He wanted to attend the Oklahoma City Memorial Commemoration on April 19 in person to visit with his old friend President Bill Clinton. After his speech, the President immediately spotted George and gave him a great hug. I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday and without hesitation he said he wanted to speak to the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City! And so, on June 17, Governor Frank Keating (George wanted it Bipartisan!) had a “fireside chat” with George about his life and public service before 250 Rotarians. He delivered a beautiful message of gratitude and encouraged the nation to find a way to come together.

I will miss his wonderful stories that at the age of 98 he would sprinkle with precise names, dates, and places that was simply astounding. Most of all I will miss his wisdom, his graciousness, and his loving companionship. I can hear the celestial angels tuning up their trumpets to get the notes of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! just right for George and he will remind them, as he did all his audiences, that the name of the song is always followed by an exclamation point. Rest in Peace George Nigh!!

Chancellor of Higher Education Emeritus and former House Speaker Glen D. Johnson

George devoted his 98 years of life to public service. As a classroom teacher, military veteran, state representative, Lieutenant Governor and Oklahoma's first 2 term Governor, George consistently provided strong leadership and extraordinary public service to the citizens of McAlester, Pittsburg County, the State of Oklahoma, and the United States of America. As the legislative author of our state's official song, OKLAHOMA!", George lived his life in a way that made all of us very proud to be Oklahomans. He was and always will be " Oklahoma's Ambassador of Goodwill" and one of our most beloved and cherished citizens. On a personal note, I have lost one of my best friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Donna, his daughter Georgeann and his family during this very difficult time.

Retired Oklahoma Supreme Justice Yvonne Kauger

George changed my life by appointing me to the Supreme Court and making Oklahoma one of the first states to have two women on the state’s highest court. Had George not made that bold move, the Oklahoma Justice Center, one of the most beautiful buildings in this part of the country, might not have happened. The Sovereignty Symposium, the nationally known gathering of Native American law experts, might not have been born. He never lost his ability to be funny and witty. He remembered all the stories and was the most entertaining speaker I’ve ever heard. I once asked him if it was really his idea to appoint me or was it Donna’s, and he said he was taking credit for it. But I know that Donna had a lot to do with it. I sent him flowers every year after I was appointed on March 14 to thank him for giving me that honor. He never failed to write me a note and to tell me how proud he was of me. That meant the world to me.

Retired Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven Taylor

I have known George Nigh since I was a junior at McAlester High School and he was the Lieutenant Governor. He has mentored me and been one of my best friends ever since. He launched my 33 year judicial career by appointing me to the District Court in 1984. We have been very close friends and McAlester is our common bond. We continued to stay in touch in his later years with very frequent phone calls and text messages and occasional lunches and we always celebrated his birthday.

George was a champion for every young person who aspired to the high calling of a life in public service. His passion was to get things done in a bipartisan way. There were no Republican projects or Democrat projects. There were just projects that were good for Oklahoma.

His entire life was dedicated to public service in Oklahoma. He was a great governor, and he was one of my best friends. I will miss him very much. May his memory be a blessing.

Dr. Bob Blackburn, former director, Oklahoma Historical Society

Governor Nigh has been Oklahoma’s #1 cheerleader my entire life. Whether speaking at High School Commencements or at Girls State for more than 50 years, his love of young people and our state inspired generations of yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s leaders. Peace to Donna, Georgeanne, and his family. Rest well, good and faithful public servant.” - Former Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins

“Governor Nigh was not just a friend but also a mentor who taught me the importance of public service, inclusive leadership, and the power of positive energy when searching for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. I will miss his stories, his insights into human nature, and his love of Oklahoma.

Nigh’s biographer, Bob Burke, Good Guys Wear White Hats, published by the Oklahoma Heritage Association in 2000

The word “integrity” symbolizes George’s lifetime of public service. Even though some disagreed with his policies, no one questioned his integrity. He owed no one but the people of Oklahoma. His administrations were never tainted by scandal.

He had so many firsts in Oklahoma. When elected in 1950, he was the youngest member of the legislature at 22. He was the youngest lieutenant governor ever. He was the first governor to be reelected and the only gubernatorial candidate to carry all 77 counties. He was the only person to serve four terms as governor, although two were for nine and five days. He was the oldest person ever hired as a university president.

George was one of the most sought-after speakers in the state. He wrote key words of his speech on his hand. He spoke at a commencement for 75 consecutive years. He was the modern Will Rogers for his beloved state.

Nigh was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on June 9, 1927, and was the son of Wilbur R. and Irene Crockett Nigh. He had four siblings and worked at a grocery store as a child before graduating from McAlester High School in 1945. He joined the United States Navy in 1945 and served on the USS Ranger before leaving the navy to attend college in 1946. He graduated from Eastern Oklahoma State College with an associate's in liberal arts in 1948 and East Central University with a teaching degree in 1950. While a student at East central University in 1950, he ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives and won.

He was the brother of William Nigh, an Oklahoma representative.