J. Howard Edmondson
| J. Howard Edmondson | |
|---|---|
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United States Senator from Oklahoma |
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In office January 7, 1963 – November 3, 1964 |
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| Appointed by | George Nigh |
| Preceded by | Robert S. Kerr |
| Succeeded by | Fred R. Harris |
| 16th Governor of Oklahoma | |
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In office January 12, 1959 – January 6, 1963 |
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| Lieutenant | George Nigh |
| Preceded by | Raymond D. Gary |
| Succeeded by | George Nigh |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Howard Edmondson September 27, 1925 Muskogee, Oklahoma |
| Died | November 17, 1971 (aged 46) Edmond, Oklahoma |
| Resting place | Memorial Park Cemetery Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jeanette Bartleson |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma |
| Religion | Presbyterianism |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
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| Service/branch |
 United States Army
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| Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Unit | United States Army Air Forces |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
James Howard Edmondson (September 27, 1925 – November 17, 1971) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He served as the 16th governor of Oklahoma from 1959 to 1963, and a United States Senator from Oklahoma from 1963 to 1964. Elected at the age of 33, Edmondson still remains the youngest governor in the history of the state.
Prior to serving as governor, Edmondson practiced law in Muskogee, Oklahoma, worked as the chief prosecutor of the Tulsa County attorney, and successfully campaigned to become the county attorney in 1954 and 1956.
Edmondson was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, attended elementary and secondary schools there and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma after high school graduation. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in March 1942, and served until December 5, 1945. He returned to the University, was married to his childhood sweetheart, Jeanette Bartleson, in May 1946, and completed his law degree in August 1948. He had a son, James, Jr., and two daughters, Jeanne and Patricia.
After practicing law in Muskogee, Edmondson moved to Tulsa to become the chief prosecutor in the office of the county attorney of Tulsa County. He was elected county attorney in 1954 and was re-elected in 1956.
As governor, Edmondson helped to establish a state merit system and central purchasing, but failed in his attempt to transfer control of county road funds to the Oklahoma Department of Highways. He resigned in the final weeks of his gubernatorial term and was appointed to the United States Senate, where he was defeated by Fred Harris in his campaign for election to the seat. He later practiced law after leaving elective office and died of a heart attack and is buried in Oklahoma City.
Edmondson was inaugurated as governor of Oklahoma on January 12, 1959, after winning the election by the largest majority ever given to a gubernatorial candidate in the state. He ran on a platform of reform, and passed many reforms despite opposition from the legislature during his first two years as governor. He was also committed to a special election to repeal prohibition of the sale of alcohol, and successfully pushed a referendum through the legislature. He was successful in establishing a state merit system and central purchasing, but failed in his attempt to transfer control of county road funds to the Department of Highways.
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