Clem McSpadden Dead At Age 82

Former State Senate leader and Congressman Clem McSpadden of Chelsea died last night at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the family reports.

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His death came after a lengthy battle with cancer.

McSpadden, a rancher, was the grand nephew of Will Rogers. He was a U. S. Navy officer in World War II and was known in his later years as a spokesman for advertisers and as a rodeo announcer for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He was a member of the PRCA Hall of Fame.

McSpadden earned a degree from Oklahoma State University in 1948 after serving in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was elected to the State Senate in 1954; and served until 1972 (he was president pro tempore for two sessions).

He was a rancher; insurance executive; real estate developer; professional rodeo announcer; contract director, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association; delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1968; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-third Congress (January 3, 1973-January 3, 1975); was not a candidate for reelection to the Ninety-fourth Congress in 1974; and was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1974.

Survivors include wife Donna, son Bart McSpadden and his wife Kate of Edmond and their children Noah, Chloe, Tucker and Luke; daughter Kay and her husband Joe Lucas of Edmond; son Paul and his wife Connie McSpadden of Richardson, Texas and their children John McSpadden of Richardson and James McSpadden of Oklahoma City.

Services are pending.

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