MICHAEL J. HIGHTOWER
HISTORIAN AND BIOGRAPHER
GEORGE'S RECORD
THE LIFE EXPERIENCES OF GEORGE J. RECORDS, BUSINESSMAN, PHILANTHROPIST, CONSERVATIONIST
Biography, 2 Cities Press, 2026
George Jeffrey Records earned prominence as the founder and longtime chairman of MidFirst Bank, a financial powerhouse that grew from modest beginnings in the oil-patch depression of the 1980s to become the leading multibank holding company in Oklahoma and one of the largest privately owned banks in the United States. Since handing over control of the bank to his son Jeff in the late 1990s, he became even better known for philanthropic commitments that set a high bar for civic involvement.
On one level, George’s Record is a straightforward biography of George Records, from his growing-up years and rise to the pinnacle of business success to his philanthropic projects, carefully chosen to ensure maximum effect, and always undertaken anonymously to deflect attention from their benefactor.
On another level, this book illuminates not only what he has done, but why, and most importantly, why it matters. The thought, energy, and resources that George Records has deployed for the common good exemplify what the French know as noblesse oblige: from whom much is given, much is expected.
He’s a lot of fun to be with. He’s always positive and always had a good sense of humor. He always had something that would make you laugh. But he was very serious about quail hunting, and a very good shot. Harvey Payne, former director of the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
You can learn so much from George by just being with him and watching him—the way that he handles himself, the way he does things, the way he engages people. There’s so much that you can take just from that observation. I certainly have. Ed Konieczny, former bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
One of the things I appreciate about George is, he has high expectations. But he also doesn’t get involved in the weeds. Nathan Sheldon, headmaster Casady School
I think Clarence Wright and Chuck Vose realized that George Records was a straight shooter. He was not going to cause any problems. Frank Olney Midland Mortgage Co.
George is gracious, helpful, has always picked up more than his share of the tabs, even the entire tab at times. His language is impeccable and dress is without flaw. Never a hair out of place, even early on when he had more of it. Yes, George is a true GENTLEMAN. Ellis T. “Bud” Gravette, Jr. “Backward” to Dave Raupe, George’s Records