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Longtime former U.S. Sen. Jim Mountain Inhofe dies at age 89
News
July 18, 2024
Longtime former U.S. Sen. Jim Mountain Inhofe dies at age 89
By MADELINE HOFFMANN GAYLORD NEWS

WASHINGTON – Oklahoma Republican James Inhofe, the longest-serving senator from the state, died Tuesday morning surrounded by family after suffering a sudden illness at age 89.

Inhofe, whose political career spanned six decades, established himself as a fixture of Oklahoma politics and a mainstay of the conservative ideology. He championed U.S. military strength and strong defense spending, later serving as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee from late 2018 to 2020, a longtime goal of the former senator.

He also served as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, often speaking against climate change. Inhofe famously threw a snowball on the Senate floor to protest notions of man made global warming in 2015.

Before serving as a senator, Inhofe spent four years as the mayor of Tulsa, 10 years in the Oklahoma Legislature, and eight years as a member of the U.S. House. Inhofe was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, where he served five terms until retiring in 2023, citing longterm complications of COVID-19.

U.S. Senator James Lankford (ROklahoma City), one of Inhofe’s colleagues, said he was a true legend and force to be reckoned with in the Senate.

“Cindy and I are deeply saddened about the loss of Oklahoma’s favorite son, Senator Jim Inhofe,” Lankford said in a statement. “We grieve along with our state and nation the loss of a true patriot for our American values and way of life. He kept his relationship with Jesus, his family, and all Oklahomans as his priority. His passion for our military, aviation, energy, infrastructure, Africa, and our personal freedom was vital for our state and our nation.”

Longtime colleague and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) also released a statement on Inhofe’s passing, writing that any legislator would dream of having his legacy.

“The Senator for Oklahoma lived up to his unique and distinguished middle name: Jim was a Mountain of a man,” McConnell said in a statement. “The people he served, a group much larger than the proud residents of the Sooner State, were better for it. Jim’s diligent stewardship of massive infrastructure projects transformed life across the Heartland. His relentless advocacy for American energy dominance unlocked new prosperity across the country.”

Similarly, U.S. Congressman Kevin Hern (R-Tulsa) released a statement calling Inhofe a dear friend, mentor and titan in Oklahoma.

“Jim spent his life in service to his country, both in uniform and in the halls of Congress. He will always be remembered as a fighter, especially for our military service members,” Hern said in a statement. “Jim’s legacy of service, leadership, and faith reflect the Oklahoma Standard and the pride he held in his work. Along with the family, friends, and many Oklahomans who knew and loved him, I mourn the loss of a great man.”

U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas (R-Cheyenne) also mourned the passing of Inhofe, saying that learning under Inhofe’s leadership has only strengthened his sense of duty.

“His long career in the United States House and Senate serves as a testament to his strong moral compass and innate desire to better his home state,” Lucas said in a statement. “From being a largerthan-life advocate for Oklahoma’s military installations to improving infrastructure across the state, Jim Inhofe has made an impact on Oklahomans that will be felt for generations.”

Inhofe grew up in Tulsa, where he later attended the University of Tulsa. Along with briefly serving in the U.S. Army in 1955, Inhofe also worked in aviation, real estate and insurance.

According to Inhofe’s family, funeral services are pending.

Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews. net.

Treasurer honored at retirement party
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Treasurer honored at retirement party
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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Retiring McIntosh County Treasurer Betty Whisenhunt received high praise from the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd at Whisenhunt’s retirement party Friday. “She could give courses acros...
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Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
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Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
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Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
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Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
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Killing them with kindness
commentary
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What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
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For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
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Another busy week in the district
commentary
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By REP. TIM TURNER 
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I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
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Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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Woman captured following foot chase
July 3, 2025
A 39-year-old Eufaula woman who had an outstanding warrant on an arson charge was arrested Wednesday, June 25, following a foot chase in a wooded area around south 7th Street in Eufaula. Tamara Dean K...
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Katy Depot Meet and Greet
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Katy Depot Meet and Greet
July 3, 2025
Mike Key talked to his Class of 1975 and other alumni about their Significant Alumni Jim Caro at the Katy Depot Meet & Greet on Saturday.
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