Former U.S. Representative and rodeo legend Clem McSpadden died late Monday night at the age of 82 in Houston after fighting a battle with cancer.
McSpadden, grand nephew of Will Rogers, was from Chelsea and served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975. During his time as a congressman, he founded the Congressional Rural Caucus.
He also served in the Oklahoma State Legislature as a senator from 1955 to 1972, including two terms as president pro tem.
“He was a strong voice for agriculture and the rural way of life,” said Kenneth Corn, Senate democrat caucus chair. “He was truly a legend in his own time who exhibited the very values that make Oklahoma great.”
“Clem McSpadden was a true Oklahoman, a dear friend and a deeply committed public servant who loved the state of Oklahoma and its people, and he spent his life working to make a difference in the lives of those around him,” Gov. Brad Henry said. “Through his work in the Oklahoma Legislature and in Congress. Clem helped to build the great state we know today.”
In the rodeo sector, McSpadden was a rodeo announcer and fan throughout North America, including the National Finals Rodeo, the Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. He was inducted into both the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1990.
As the general manager of the National Finals Rodeo, he hired Reba McEntire to perform at the event.
“Clem McSpadden was one of Oklahoma’s last great cowboys,” Corn said.
“Clem McSpadden was an Oklahoma legend who served our state in Congress and whose long and illustrious career in rodeo helped popularize a uniquely American sport,” U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin said. “His good humor was always contagious, whether it was at our state or national Capitol or in the rodeo arena.
“I know all Oklahomans join me in extending our thoughts and prayers to his family, and in mourning the loss of an outstanding representative of our state,” she said.
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Staff Writer Amanda Gire compiled this information, and the Associated Press contributed to this article.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. —
