Friends say goodbye to Clem McSpadden

 Hundreds of friends, associates and people who had never met him paid their final respects at the Capitol Friday to Clem McSpadden, well-known rodeo announcer and political figure.
McSpadden’s casket lay in state at the second floor rotunda area of the Capitol, a day before his funeral at 10 a.m. at the Clem McSpadden Bushyhead Ranch Arena near Claremore.
He died late Monday at age 82 after a long bout with cancer.
McSpadden, a grand nephew of Will Rogers, was best known for his smooth announcing voice at rodeos across the country.
“I didn’t know him, but I knew he was a great man,” said a bearded Kent Stetson of Luther, who plays Buffalo Bill in Wild West shows.
Steve Bowers of Guthrie ran errands for McSpadden at the Lazy E Ranch. “It was an honor,” he said.
“I was at the National Finals Rodeo when he introduced Reba McEntire before she became famous,” recalls Bower’s wife, Georgia.
Capitol visitors passed by the casket, which was draped by the American flag, with McSpadden’s familiar gray cowboy hat resting on top. A painting of a smiling McSpadden stood nearby.
Scores of lawmakers and other friends of McSpadden were misty eyed as they shook hands and embraced his son, Bart.
“Mom and I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and respect for dad,” Bart McSpadden said. “To me he was dad. I’m sorry to have to say this, but it took his passing for me to really know the love people had for him and see the impact he had on people’s lives.”
Many were touched by his reading of “The Cowboy’s Prayer,” which McSpadden wrote and often read at the start of rodeos, his son said.
Legislative aides and legislators said the thing they most remembered about McSpadden was his easygoing, friendly manner.
“Clem was just a man of the people. He didn’t care if you were a rodeo cowboy, a legislator or a man on the street. Clem was the same with everybody. He will be greatly missed,” said Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo.
McSpadden was the first to serve two terms as president pro tem of the Oklahoma Senate and later served in Congress, leaving for an unsuccessful bid for governor.
“He was a mentor to many of us,” said Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, the current president pro tem. “The thing that just jumps out to me about Clem was his kindness. He treated everyone kindly. Did you ever hear him saying anything bad about anyone? That’s kind of rare in this business.”
McSpadden, a World War II Navy veteran, remained involved in rodeo during his political career, announcing the National Finals Steer Roping a record 27 times between 1963 and 2000.
He called rodeos throughout North America, including the Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. He was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1990.
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum recognized McSpadden in 2006 with the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award, its highest honor.