Funeral Services Held For Henry Bellmon

Former Oklahoma governor and U.S. Sen. Henry Bellmon has been remembered as a caring, thoughtful and visionary man at the first of two funeral services.

Saturday, October 3rd 2009, 3:28 pm

By: News 9

Associated Press

EDMOND, Oklahoma-- Former Oklahoma governor and U.S. Sen. Henry Bellmon has been remembered as a caring, thoughtful and visionary man at the first of two funeral services.

Bellmon, Oklahoma's first Republican governor, died Tuesday at the age of 88. Services were held Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Edmond. Federal Appellate Court Judge Robert Henry, Gov. Brad Henry's cousin, described Bellmon as a "powerful mountain of a man."

About 500 people attended the service including Governor Henry and current and former state officials.

During the service, the Rev. Andrew Tevington collapsed behind the pulpit. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital and was reported in stable condition following the service.

A second funeral service was help for Bellmon Saturday afternoon in Perry.

More on News9.com: Former Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon Dies