Gov. George Nigh and his wife, Donna, work the serving line at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Myriad in December 1979. (Photo by Bob Albright/ Oklahoma Historical Society)
OKLAHOMA CITY – George Nigh, a former governor who opened the door for women to serve on the state’s highest court, has died. He was 98.
Nigh family spokesman Bob Burke said Nigh passed away Wednesday morning at home surrounded by family.
Born June 9, 1927, in McAlester to Wilber and Irene Nigh, George Nigh holds the record for time served in the Governor’s Office. He formally served four times as governor, the most of any politician in state history.
State leaders remembered the Democrat as a man who put his state first and served as a mentor to many.
“He was a great man, but perhaps more importantly, he was a really good guy,” said former Gov. Brad Henry. “Few, if any, have had as significant of an impact on our state for as long as George did.”
Nigh was a teacher, former state representative and lieutenant governor. He served in the U.S. Navy and as president of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
In 1950, constituents elected Nigh, then 23, to the state House, making him the youngest member of the Legislature.
He was the author of the bill that made “Oklahoma!,” the state song.
Nigh told people he knew as early as the ninth grade that he wanted to be governor.
When he first ran for governor in 1962, he lost, but served in the post for nine days in January 1963 following the death of U.S. Sen. Robert S. Kerr. Then Gov. J. Howard Edmondson resigned to fill the seat.
In 1978, Nigh finally achieved his dream of being elected governor, but when David Boren left office five days early to become a U.S. senator, he became governor a second time for those few days until he was sworn in to begin his own term.
Voters ultimately elected him to serve two full terms in the Governor’s Office.
As governor, Nigh increased the number of minorities serving on state boards and commissions and in agency leadership roles.
Nigh appointed the state’s first two female supreme court justices, the late Alma Wilson and Yvonne Kauger, who is retired.
“I once asked him if it was really his idea to appoint me or was it (his wife) Donna’s, and he said he was taking credit for it,” Kauger said.
Nigh also appointed Steven Taylor, a now retired Oklahoma Supreme Court justice and McAlester resident, to the district court bench in 1984.
“His passion was to get things done in a bipartisan way,” Taylor said.
Former Gov. Mary Fallin said Nigh’s leadership was grounded in integrity, bipartisanship and humility.
“He devoted his life not just to governing, but elevating our state’s spirit – whether through promoting Oklahoma tourism, supporting education, or simply being a good neighbor,” Fallin said. “He was the kind of statesman every generation hopes for.”
Some remembered Nigh as a gifted and sought after storyteller and speaker who wrote some of his speech notes on his hands.
“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,” said former Gov. David Walters.
Burke, an attorney and Nigh’s biographer, called him “the modern Will Rogers for his beloved state.”
Nigh in 2009 spoke with John Erling with Voices of Oklahoma about his lengthy career and life experiences.
“I am very fortunate,” Nigh said. “I’ve had a wonderful life. I got to fulfill my dream.”
Nigh is survived by his wife Donna; daughter, Georgeann Duty and husband Steve; sister Mary Cargill; two granddaughters and three grandsons.
The family is expected to announce a public memorial service at a later date.
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