George Nigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Nigh
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| 17th and 22nd Governor of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 12, 1987 |
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| Lieutenant | Spencer Bernard |
| Preceded by | David Boren |
| Succeeded by | Henry Bellmon |
| In office January 6, 1963 – January 14, 1963 |
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| Preceded by | J. Howard Edmondson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Bellmon |
| 8th and 10th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 9, 1967 – January 3, 1979 |
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| Governor | Dewey F. Bartlett David Hall David Boren |
| Preceded by | Leo Winters |
| Succeeded by | Spencer Bernard |
| In office January 12, 1959 – January 6, 1963 |
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| Governor | J. Howard Edmondson |
| Preceded by | Cowboy Pink Williams |
| Succeeded by | Leo Winters |
| President of the University of Central Oklahoma | |
| In office July 1, 1992 – June 30, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Lillard |
| Succeeded by | W. Roger Webb |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the Pittsburg County district |
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| In office 1951–1959 |
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| Preceded by | Lonnie Brown |
| Succeeded by | Ray Van Hooser |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Patterson Nigh
June 9, 1927 McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | July 30, 2025 (aged 98) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Donna Skinner
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | William Nigh (brother) |
| Education | Eastern Oklahoma State College East Central University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1945–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
George Patterson Nigh (June 9, 1927 – July 30, 2025) was an important American politician and community leader from Oklahoma. He served as the 17th and 22nd Governor of Oklahoma and as the 8th and 10th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. George Nigh was the first Oklahoma governor to be re-elected for a second term. He was also the first to win every single county in the state during an election.
Before becoming governor, Nigh worked as a teacher and served in the state legislature. After his time as governor, he became the president of the University of Central Oklahoma. He also served on the board of directors for JCPenney and worked as an advisor for the International Bank of Commerce.
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Early Life and Education
George Nigh was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, on June 9, 1927. His parents were Wilbur R. and Irene Crockett Nigh. He grew up with four brothers and sisters. As a child, he worked at a grocery store. He graduated from McAlester High School in 1945.
After high school, Nigh joined the United States Navy in 1945. He served on the USS Ranger during World War II. In 1946, he left the Navy to go to college. He earned a degree in liberal arts from Eastern Oklahoma State College in 1948. Then, he received a teaching degree from East Central University in 1950. While still a student in 1950, he successfully ran for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His brother, William Nigh, also served as an Oklahoma representative.
Starting His Political Career
From 1951 to 1959, George Nigh worked as both a teacher in McAlester public schools and a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. During his time in the state legislature, he helped make the song "Oklahoma!" the official state song of Oklahoma.
In 1958, Nigh ran for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. He won the election and took office on January 12, 1959. At 31 years old, he became the youngest lieutenant governor in the entire United States. He served in this role until January 3, 1963.
A Brief Time as Governor
In 1963, a special situation allowed George Nigh to become governor for a short time. The current governor, J. Howard Edmondson, resigned a few days before his term ended. This was so he could be appointed to a vacant U.S. Senate seat. As Lieutenant Governor, Nigh stepped in to serve as governor for nine days, from January 6 to January 14, 1963. After this brief period, Henry Bellmon took office as the new governor.
George Nigh remained single until after his first time serving in public office. He met Donna Mashburn after his short term as governor in 1963. They married on October 19, 1963. Donna had a young son, and later, the Nighs had a daughter together.
Leading Oklahoma: Lieutenant Governor and Governor
Nigh ran for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma again in 1966 and won. He was re-elected twice more, serving from January 9, 1967, to January 3, 1979. This made him the second longest-serving lieutenant governor in Oklahoma's history, with 16 years in the role. In 1969, while he was Lieutenant Governor, Nigh helped college students create the "Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature" (O.I.L.). This program still exists today, teaching students about government.
Serving as Governor of Oklahoma
In 1978, George Nigh ran for Governor of Oklahoma again. He won the election, becoming the first Oklahoma Governor to serve a second term. He took office on January 3, 1979.
He ran for re-election in 1982 and won again, carrying all 77 counties in the state. This was another historic first for an Oklahoma Governor. He served his second full term until January 12, 1987.
Modernizing State Government
During his time as governor, George Nigh worked to make the state government more organized and efficient. He signed a law called the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. This law helped group different parts of the government by their functions.
Nigh also made efforts to include more diverse people in state leadership roles. He appointed the first two women, Yvonne Kauger and Alma Wilson, to serve as Justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
After His Time in Office
After leaving the governor's office, George Nigh continued to serve the community. From 1992 to 1997, he was the president of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). During his leadership, UCO built new dormitories and became more of a regional university.
He was recognized for his contributions, being inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1992, he received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award. He also served as the Interim Director for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation for a few months in 2005-2006.
Remembering George Nigh
George Nigh passed away on July 30, 2025, at the age of 98. He is remembered as a dedicated public servant who made many important contributions to the state of Oklahoma.
