Former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn dies at 72

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn died early Saturday morning after a long fight with prostate cancer. He was 72.

Coburn, of Muskogee, served in the Senate from 2005 to 2015 and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001. After leaving the Senate, he pushed for a constitutional convention and advocated for a range of conservative fiscal causes.

Senator James Lankford issued the following statement on the passing of former Oklahoma US Senator Tom Coburn, M.D.:

“Oklahoma has lost a tremendous leader, and I lost a great friend today. Dr. Coburn was an inspiration to many in our state and our nation. He was unwavering in his conservative values, but he had deep and meaningful friendships with people from all political and personal backgrounds. He was truly respected by people on both sides of the aisle.

“Dr. Coburn will be remembered by many around the country for his work in Congress, but in Oklahoma, he will be remembered as a physician, a Sunday School teacher, and a mentor. He delivered over 4,000 babies and cared for thousands of moms in Muskogee. His greatest joy was his wife Carolyn and his daughters Callie, Katie, and Sarah and their families. Cindy and I pray for the Coburn family as they walk through this incredibly hard journey. They have lost a husband, father, and grandfather; we have lost a friend and a leader.”

Statement from Governor Kevin Stitt on the passing of former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn:

“We lost a giant today – an Oklahoma legend. Dr. Coburn devoted his life to serving others both by way of his career as a physician and by tirelessly fighting for our country as a true statesman.

Our state and our nation are better because of the lessons in fiscal responsibility we’ve learned from Dr. Coburn and I pray especially in these trying times ahead of us that we can find ways to ensure his legacy lives on.”

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse released the following statement after the death of Dr. Tom Coburn. Dr. Coburn served Oklahoma as a conservative leader in the U.S. Senate from 2005-2015.

“Tom Coburn was a special, special man. He was a Christian and a father and a husband, and all of those identities were much more important to him than where he got his paycheck. And even among his day jobs, everyone who knew him knew that politics was, at best, second for ‘Doctor Coburn’ — a guy from Oklahoma who helped women deliver babies. He will be sorely missed in lots of different communities, but he is home.”

Representative Kevin Hern released the following statement after the passing of former Senator Tom Coburn:

“Senator Tom Coburn was a great leader and a great man,” said Rep. Hern. “More than that, he was a dear friend and mentor to me long before I ever dreamed of entering politics. He lived a truly Christ-centered life, for this I am glad that his suffering is over and he is at peace with our Lord. I mourn his loss today along with the family, friends, and thousands of Oklahomans who knew and loved him. I will see you again one day, my friend.”

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after learning about the passing of Dr. Tom Coburn:

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of my former colleague in Congress and client, Dr. Tom Coburn. He was an Oklahoma original – a politician who hated politics. He disliked campaigns, but he never lost an election. Voters appreciated his strong conservative views, his candor and his honesty as a person,” said Cole.

“Tom felt a strong call to serve his fellow Oklahomans as both a physician and an elected official. He did both with genuine personal integrity. In Oklahoma and far beyond, Tom became a legendary figure who fiercely fought for what he believed in and what he thought was best for future generations of Americans. And he did so with great conviction and resolve.

“I extend my deepest sympathy to Tom’s devoted wife Carolyn and his close-knit family. Nothing gave Tom more pleasure and pride than his loving and talented children and grandchildren. His family truly brought him the greatest joy in life. I offer them all my prayers for their loss, and I wish them God’s healing in this time of tremendous grief and sorrow.”

Tulsa Regional Chamber, president and CEO comments Mike Neal on the passing of Tom Coburn:

“We at the Tulsa Regional Chamber are saddened by the passing of former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn. He lived a life of servitude, for his family, his medical patients, and his constituents during his time in both the U.S. House and Senate. Dr. Coburn was a man of strong convictions and was always willing to make tough decisions. He stood for what he felt was right, even when that stance wasn’t popular. He fought government waste, earning him the nickname ‘Dr. No.’ Through it all, he served with honor and compassion, earning him the enduring respect of his political colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We offer our condolences to his family and friends during this time of grief.”