George Nigh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Nigh
17th and 22nd Governor of Oklahoma
In office January 3, 1979 – January 12, 1987
Lieutenant	Spencer Bernard
Preceded by	David Boren
Succeeded by	Henry Bellmon
In office January 6, 1963 – January 14, 1963
Lieutenant	Vacant
Preceded by	J. Howard Edmondson
Succeeded by	Henry Bellmon
8th and 10th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
In office January 9, 1967 – January 3, 1979
Governor	Dewey F. Bartlett David Hall David Boren
Preceded by	Leo Winters
Succeeded by	Spencer Bernard
In office January 12, 1959 – January 6, 1963
Governor	J. Howard Edmondson
Preceded by	Cowboy Pink Williams
Succeeded by	Leo Winters
18th President of the University of Central Oklahoma
In office July 1, 1992 – June 30, 1997
Preceded by	Bill Lillard
Succeeded by	W. Roger Webb
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office 1951 – 1959
Personal details
Born	(1927-06-09) June 9, 1927 (age 98) McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Donna Nigh
Residence	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Alma mater	East Central State College
Profession	Politician
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1945–1946
Battles/wars	World War II

George Patterson Nigh (born June 9, 1927) is an American leader from Oklahoma. He served as the 17th and 22nd governor of Oklahoma. He was also the eighth and tenth lieutenant governor of Oklahoma.

George Nigh made history as the first Oklahoma governor to be re-elected. He was also the first to win every single county in the state during an election. He even briefly stepped in as governor a couple of times when the main governor's spot was empty. After his time as governor, Nigh continued to serve his community. He became the president of the University of Central Oklahoma. He also worked with businesses and helped with public relations.

Early Life and Education

George Nigh was born in McAlester, Oklahoma. His parents were Wilbur R. and Irene Crockett Nigh. He joined the United States Navy and served from 1945 to 1946. After his military service, he went to college. He graduated from East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma, in 1951.

George Nigh was not married during his first time in public office. He met his future wife, Donna Mashburn, after his short nine-day term as governor in 1963. They got married on October 19, 1963. Donna had a young son, and later, the Nighs had a daughter together.

Political Career Highlights

Nigh in 1972, during his time as Lieutenant Governor

From 1951 to 1959, George Nigh worked as a teacher in McAlester schools. During this time, he also served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. While in the state legislature, he helped make "Oklahoma!" the official state song.

In 1958, Nigh ran for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. He won the election and took office at age 31. This made him the youngest lieutenant governor in the entire United States. He served from January 12, 1959, to January 3, 1963.

Brief Time as Governor

In 1962, the current governor, J. Howard Edmondson, did not run for re-election. George Nigh ran for governor but did not win that election. However, a special situation arose. A U.S. Senator from Oklahoma passed away. To fill the empty Senate seat, Governor Edmondson resigned a few days early. This meant George Nigh, as Lieutenant Governor, briefly became governor for nine days. He served from January 6 to January 14, 1963. This allowed him to appoint the former governor to the vacant Senate seat.

Serving as Lieutenant Governor Again

Nigh ran for Lieutenant Governor again in 1966. He won this election and was re-elected two more times. He served as Lieutenant Governor from January 9, 1967, to January 3, 1979. This made him one of the longest-serving lieutenant governors in Oklahoma's history.

In 1969, while serving as Lieutenant Governor, Nigh helped college students create the "Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature" (O.I.L.). This program still exists today. It helps students learn about government by acting as a model legislature.

Becoming Governor of Oklahoma

In 1978, the current governor, David Boren, decided not to run again. George Nigh ran for Governor and won. He became the first Oklahoma Governor to serve a second term. He took office a few days early because Governor Boren was sworn in as a U.S. Senator.

Nigh ran for a second full term as governor in 1982. He won this election by a large margin. He carried all 77 counties in Oklahoma, which was a historic achievement. This was the first time an Oklahoma Governor was re-elected for a second full term.

Key Actions as Governor

During his time as governor, George Nigh worked to improve state government. He signed the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986. This law helped organize the many different state agencies into clearer groups. He also signed a law that created the franchise tax in Oklahoma.

Nigh also focused on making state government more diverse. He increased the number of minority individuals serving on state boards and in leadership roles. He appointed the first two women, Yvonne Kauger and Alma Wilson, to serve as Justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Later Life and Public Service

After his terms as governor, George Nigh continued to serve the public. From 1992 to 1997, he was the president of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). During his time at UCO, he oversaw many construction projects. These projects helped UCO grow from a school where most students commuted to a larger university with dorms.

In 1990, he was honored by being inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame. 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.

George Nigh and his wife Donna even appeared on a TV show! They played themselves as the Governor and First Lady of Oklahoma in an episode of the NBC soap opera Texas in 1980.