Raymond D. Gary

Raymond Dancel Gary (born January 21, 1908 in Marshall County , Oklahoma , † December 11, 1993 in Madill , Oklahoma) was an American politician and from 1955 to 1959 the 15th governor of the state of Oklahoma.

Early years and political advancement

Raymond Gary attended local schools in his home country and then Southeastern State College . Between 1928 and 1932 he worked as a school teacher before he was school board ( Superintendent of Schools ) in Marshall County. He then owned a furniture factory for five years and then president of an oil company.

Gary was a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1940 and 1954 he was a member of the Oklahoma Senate . He has even been President of the Senate for the past two years. In 1954 he was elected as his party's candidate for the new governor, with 59:41 percent of the vote against the Republican Reuben K. Sparks.

Governor of Oklahoma

Gary took up his new position on January 10, 1955. During his four-year term in office, the school system was reformed. Racial segregation in schools was abolished; at least no more racial schools were financed by the state. The state constitution was changed specifically for this purpose. The governor also campaigned for desegregation in other areas. Through his commitment, violent riots, such as those that took place in the southern United States at the same time , could be prevented in Oklahoma.

Another focus of his reign was the expansion of the roads. At that time, over 3,500 miles of new highways were completed and another 800 miles were planned. Governor Gary also established a Department of Commerce and Industry in Oklahoma. Among other things, he promoted the industrial development of his state. A commission of inquiry to research Oklahoma's drinking water reserves was also set up. In 1957 he was chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission , an organization of the US states involved in oil production.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended in January 1959, Gary returned to his business interests, especially the oil business and ranching. In 1964 he applied for his party's nomination for election to the US Senate , but only came third behind the victorious incumbent J. Howard Edmondson and Fred R. Harris . In 1966 he tried again to run as a candidate for the gubernatorial election, but failed within the party to Preston J. Moore. Raymond Gary died in December 1993. He was married to Emma Mae Purser, with whom he had two children.

Web links

• Raymond Gary in the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Oklahoma (English)
• Raymond D. Gary in the nndb (English)
• Raymond D. Gary in the database of Find a Grave (English)