George P. Nigh, whose career inpublicservicespanned more than seven decades and who holds the record for the most gubernatorial terms in state history, died July 30, 2025, at home surrounded by family. He was 98 years old.
Born June 9, 1927, in McAlester, Okla., the son of Wilbur and Irene Nigh, Nigh served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before graduating from East Central State College in 1951. He began his public service at age 23 with election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1950, making him the youngest legislator in the state’s history.
In 1958, Nigh was elected lieutenant governor at age 31, becoming the youngest in state, and possibly national history. While lieutenant governor, he twice briefly assumed the governorship: first for nine days in January 1963 when Gov. J. Howard Edmondson resigned, and again for five days in January 1979 when David Boren left office early.
In 1978, Nigh achieved his long-cherished goal of being elected governor in his own right. In 1982, he became the first governor in Oklahoma’s history to win reelection, subsequently serving two consecutive full terms from January 1979 to January 1987. He remains the only person to have served four separate stints as governor.
As governor, Nigh emphasized education, securing historic bond funding for Oklahoma’s public universities and Career Tech schools. He launched the 1984 Nigh Commission, which recommended sweeping reforms to improve efficiency in government. He also signed the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986, reorganizing the state’s 500+ agencies into a cabinet system.
A trailblazer for inclusivity, Nigh appointed the state’s first two female Supreme Court justices, Alma Wilson and Yvonne Kauger. He also increased minority representation on boards and in leadership roles across state agencies.
Beyond elective office, Nigh later served as president of the University of Central Oklahoma (1992–1997), where he led a transformation that included building dormitories to transition the campus into a regional university. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Career Tech Hall of Fame in 1990.
Nigh married Donna in October 1963 and remained devoted partners for more than six decades. First Lady Donna Nigh became known statewide for her advocacy on behalf of citizens with developmental disabilities; she founded the Donna Nigh Foundation and helped secure group-home funding legislation.
Colleagues and political leaders remember Nigh for his bipartisan spirit and humility. Former Governor Brad Henry called Nigh “a mentor and a true public servant,” noting, “He was a great man, but perhaps more importantly, he was a really good guy.”
Nigh's was on display for public mourning at the Capitol on August 4. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City. Nigh’s legacy endures through his dedication to education reform, efficient governance and his belief that public service transcends partisanship.