(03) Governor Lee Cruce, 1911 to 1915

              Office of the GovernorMS 50 (portrait only)Lee Cruce, Democrat. Served from 1911 to 1915. Born July 8, 1863, near Marion, Kentucky. Although he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1887, he never practiced until he joined his older brother's law firm in 1891, at Ardmore, Indian Territory. Ten years later he became cashier of the Ardmore National Bank. In time he advanced to be its president. He served as Oklahoma's second Governor from January 9, 1911, to January 11, 1915. In 1930, he was defeated in the primary for the United States Senate. He died January 16, 1933, in Los Angeles, California. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Ardmore.The Governor of Oklahoma is the chief executive officer of the state and is elected for a four year term. Principal powers and responsibilities are outlined by the state constitution and by statute and include certain appointive powers, the veto or approval of bills passed by the Legislature, the granting of pardons and paroles, the summoning of special sessions of the legislature, and the calling out of the militia. Moreover, the Governor is directly responsible for the preparation of the state budget, serves as an ex officio member of several boards and commissions, receives reports from various state officers and agencies, and is charged with the duty of seeing that all laws are faithfully executed in the state.