Henry L. Bellmon

A Senator from Oklahoma. Born on a farm near Tonkawa, Kay County, Okla. , September 3, 1921. Educated in Noble County public schools. Graduated Oklahoma State University (then Oklahoma A. &. M. College) 1942. Served in United States Marine Corps 1942-1946, and was awarded the Silver Star. Farmer and rancher. Served in Oklahoma house of representatives 1946-1948. State Republican chairman 1960. Elected Oklahoma's first Republican Governor in 1962, served 1963-1967. While in office, chairman, Interstate Oil Compact Commission, and member, executive committee, National Governors Conference. Elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1968. Reelected in 1974 and served from January 3, 1969, to January 3, 1981. Was not a candidate for reelection in 1980. Co-founder and co-chairman of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Appointed director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services 1983. Elected Governor of Oklahoma 1986. Was a resident of Red Rock, Okla. , until his death on September 29, 2009. Interment in Union Cemetery, Billings, Okla.