Oklahoma mourns loss of former Governor David Boren

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Oklahomans are mourning the loss of political icon David Boren. Boren passed away surrounded by his family Thursday morning. 

He was 83-years-old. 

"There is a great hole in the heart and soul of Oklahoma today… We would have wanted to have him around for another 10 or 15 years, but fate has chosen to take him from our state,” said Bob Burke, a longtime friend and spokesman for the Boren family. “I think David's family has been expecting this for several weeks." 

According to Burke, Boren was battling diabetes. 

Boren’s political career began in 1966 when he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He’d go on to become Oklahoma’s 21st Governor and then he represented our state in the U.S. Senate, serving in Congress from 1979 until 1994.

"It's always made such an impact on me that someone could serve in so many different ways, could leave so many different legacies,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “He certainly kind of redefined public service in the state for a whole generation of leaders." 

Boren then made his way to Norman, serving as OU’s President for more than two decades. 

"I believe David Boren's greatest legacy is his support of education,” said Burke. 

David’s son, Dan Boren, the Secretary of Commerce for the Chickasaw Nation sent KFOR the following statement on Thursday: 

“My father loved the people of Oklahoma.  He saw public service as a noble calling and dedicated his life to it. He was driven by a deep desire to improve the lives of others and build a better future for our state, nation, and university.  The countless heartwarming stories I hear almost daily from people across the state who he helped are reminders of his spirit of service.  We shall cherish the memory of his remarkable life.”

Governor Kevin Stitt also weighed in on the former governor’s passing: 

"Today, I join Oklahomans in mourning the loss of former Governor David Boren, who dedicated his life to serving our state. His love of Oklahoma was evident in everything he did. Sarah and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Molly, and the entire Boren family.

As a sign of respect, I've ordered all flags on state property to be flown at half-staff until his interment."

The University of Oklahoma said it’s also grieving the loss. A letter from OU can be found above.

"David Boren was a transformational leader whose influence is evident throughout Oklahoma," said Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Alicia Andrews. "He was steadfast in his pursuit of reform, education, and progress. His impact on our state is profound and enduring."

The Oklahoma Democratic Party says it is mourning the loss of David Boren.

“David L. Boren has had a direct positive impact on the lives of more people than probably any other Oklahoman in my lifetime” said Jeff Berrong, a student employee in the OU President’s Office (2002-2004) who served on the campaign and congressional staffs of his son Dan Boren.  “I proudly count myself as one of the many hundreds of people that he kindly helped to guide and elevate in their vocations and pursuits.  Then there’s the hundreds of thousands of people, most of whom don’t even realize it, whose lives have been enriched from his leadership and vision as governor, U.S. senator, and president of OU.  President Boren showed us again and again how much good can be accomplished by working together in a bipartisan fashion.  We should all be thankful for his lifetime of service to our state and nation.”