OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The former chief of staff for Henry Bellmon says the former Oklahoma governor and U.S. Senator has died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Andrew Tevington said the 88-year-old Bellmon died shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday.

He became the first Republican governor since statehood in 1963 and later won a second term _ serving from 1987 to 1991.

After his first term ended In 1967 he served as national chairman of the Nixon for President campaign.

He won election to the U.S. Senate in 1968 and 1974. After his second term he was appointed interim director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services by then-Gov. George Nigh.

In 1985, he was selected as receiver of the financially troubled National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage in Oklahoma City before again running for and winning the race for governor.