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Former congressman, rodeo announcer McSpadden diesOKLAHOMA CITY (AP)--Clem McSpadden, a grand nephew of Will Rogers who served in Congress and became known as one of rodeo's premier announcers, has died. He was 82. McSpadden died July 7 after fighting cancer, his nephew, Herb McSpadden, told The Associated Press on July 8. McSpadden, who was from Chelsea, served as a Democrat in the U.S. House from 1973 to 1975 and founded the Congressional Rural Caucus. He ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1974, losing to the general election's eventual winner, David Boren. But he also gained fame as the announcer at the National Finals Rodeo, where he helped popularize the sport and had a hand in discovering Grammy-winning country star Reba McEntire. "He could walk with any crowd and make them feel like they were the most important person in the world," Herb McSpadden said. He served in the Oklahoma Senate from 1955 to 1972, becoming the first person to serve two consecutive terms as its president pro tem, but never again sought political office after his failed run for governor. He was still active as a lobbyist, and Herb McSpadden said his uncle cherished the time he got to spend with his son and grandson in the process. "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. "Clem was not only respected in political circles. Outside of the State Capitol and Washington, D.C., he was known and admired as a legendary rodeo announcer who loved the sport and carried on the heritage and tradition of the West." McSpadden was born Nov. 9, 1925, in Bushyhead and reached the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He earned his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in 1948. He remained involved in the rodeo during his political career, announcing the National Finals Steer Roping a record 27 times between 1963 and 2000. Hall of Famer Roy Cooper called McSpadden simply "the voice of rodeo." "He was the ultimate gentleman, and by God he'd sit down and have a drink of whiskey with you too. He was so well rounded and so dimensioned beyond the average man," pro rodeo announcer Bob Tallman said. "He's a statesman, he's a spokesman, he's the last of an era and he loved his family so." McSpadden called rodeos throughout North America, including the National Finals Rodeo, the Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1990. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum recognized McSpadden last year with the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award, its highest honor. Chuck Schroeder, the museum's executive director, called McSpadden an ambassador for rodeo and "absolutely an iconic figure in the growth and evolution in the sport of rodeo over time." Schroeder said McSpadden had the unique ability to please rodeo aficionados but also make the sport appealing to newcomers by letting them know more than what was going on in front of them. "He was a guy who got to know people and their stories. He was a story lover and a storyteller," Schroeder said. "When he was at the microphone at the rodeo or a roping event, it was like having your best friend there with you talking about it," he added. Tallman, who has known McSpadden for nearly four decades, said he considered himself fortunate to learn at McSpadden's side and hear his "tell it like it is" style. "Today he could step in for anybody, at any level, totally confident," Tallman said. "You could say the word July 8 to him and he'd build a story around it." McSpadden also made an impact on the music industry during his 18 years as the general manager of the National Finals Rodeo. He hired McEntire--then a little-known country singer--to sing the national anthem at the event. She went on to sell tens of millions of records. "The entire Western world has lost a friend with the passing of Clem McSpadden," Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association chairman Keith Martin said. "I've known Clem all my life, and no one knew rodeo better or loved it more than he did. This is a sad day for our sport, but the legacy of Clem McSpadden will live on forever." 8/11/08 Date: 8/4/08 Advertisement
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