A Tribute to Bob and Clem McSpadden, Grandnephews of Will Rogers
By PAT REEDER
Clem McSpadden’s professions took him all over the United States and into Canada and Mexico. That expanded his circle of friends, which included rodeo cowboy greats, presidents and the social elite. But he remained steadfast in his devotion to his Rogers County and Cherokee upbringing. Most of all, he was true to his hometown family and friends.
Whether his work took him to Oklahoma City, Las Vegas or Calgary, he always came home to Chelsea. He even spent a couple of years in Washington, D.C., but his heart was in Rogers County. As a U.S. Congressman, he came home often and while many lawmakers loaded up their suitcases with clothes, he filled his bags with beef from his Rogers County ranch — even took Oklahoma barbecue back for a House feed.
He introduced rodeo to Washington in 1983 when he produced a presidential roping.
When he ran for office, the show of love and support from homefolks was overwhelming from those who could vote and the young Cowpokes, who rode their horses in parades, passed out literature and remain devoted to him. They wore their cowboy hats, chaps and boots to Washington when he was sworn in as a Congressman and Saturday wore their jeans, white shirts and a black armband as they gathered at the Bushyhead Arena.
Even after he left office, he continued to do battle for the people of Oklahoma in his legislative and consulting firm, McSpadden & Associates.
Born to the land, he started his life in the Bushyhead area. When he was two his parents, Herb and Madalyn McSpadden, moved to the “Rogers place,” by then owned by Herb’s uncle Will Rogers. It was there he grew up a cowboy, working the cattle and farming with his father.
Along came brother, Bob, and little brother, Trent, who was born on the ranch — a threesome cemented by love of family and common grounds. They were used to people coming off the beaten path to see the home where Will Rogers was born — even had a little spiel they gave when they showed people the room where Will was born.
Madalyn revered Will and the room was never used in all the years they lived in the house. She also cautioned her sons not to use their famous uncle’s name for their own advantage.
Bob told of the time Clem introduced himself as Clem McSpadden. He said he punched him and said, “Momma told us not to tell people who we are.” Trent never told anyone — not even his children — he was born in that ranch house, now one of Oklahoma’s top tourist attractions.
Bob and Jeanne returned to the ranch for a short time after his military service with their infant son, Robin, and he worked for his dad. Their bedroom was what is now the parlor and they remembered the cold winter when Bob had to get up many times during the night to stoke the fire.
Both McSpaddens remembered Will’s death Aug. 15, 1935. Clem was in the field with his father when they came with the word. Bob, a toddler, remembered his mother crying — and he had never seen her cry. Trent was an infant, born in July of that year.
They could never have foreseen that Trent, the baby of the family, would die first. A fatal accident claimed his life. Clem delivered an eloquent eulogy.
Clem, who has had health problems for several years, but kept on working, could never have foreseen that Bob would leave this life before him. But July 1 Clem was delivering a eulogy for his middle brother. This time his voice was muffled and he shuddered with grief and pain from the cancer that had returned.
The McSpadden brothers had lots of lifelong friends.
George Lamberson grew up with them in Oologah, and Russell Wallis lived in Oowala and roped with them nearly every Sunday afternoon.
George lived about a mile “the way the crow flies” from the “Rogers place.” He was about five, a year older then Clem, when they became playmates and were classmates at Oologah, where both graduated. That friendship has endured despite the fact that George is a Republican.
“I never had a brother,” George said, “but I always figured him for a brother.” They shared many things. George would go to the McSpadden house, and Clem would go into Oologah where the Lambersons owned a grocery store.
George loved Mrs. McSpadden and her home cooking and Herb McSpadden. Clem, in an interview, said it was special for him to go to the Lambersons, where they got baloney sandwiches. After George’s parents separated, he said Mrs. McSpadden brought him cakes and pies. “She was a very good woman, a very good cook, the best eating I ever had.”
Clem nicknamed George “Dong” because as a boy he couldn’t talk plain and when he left the McSpaddens he would say he was “dong” home. That nickname was for life. George was also devoted to Bob and Trent who tagged along on their forays around the ranch.
He talked to Clem last after Bob’s death and Clem told him he was going to Houston.
Howard and Irene Harris met Clem through rodeo. They lived in New Jersey where they produced Cowtown Rodeo. A number of years ago they started coming to the McAlester prison rodeo that Clem produced and to his own World’s Richest Roping.
Then they sold Cowtown to their son and started looking for a new home. It’s no secret that Clem was pleased when they chose a place in the foothills of Rogers County near Oologah Lake.
“It’s the best move we ever made,” said Irene, “we had been here so many times … I’m from Seattle and Howard always told me he would take me home some day. Well, we are half way.”
Being this close allowed the Harrises and McSpaddens to socialize outside their rodeo interests.
The late Rogers County Commissioner Averd Dye was not only Clem’s boyhood friend, but was also his go-to guy. They played high school basketball as opponents, Clem at Oologah, Averd at Winganon. Clem was not known for his mechanical ability and it was Averd he called on for the do-it-yourselfers. Averd leaned on him for political advice.
Dye’s wife, Peach, said those games were replayed many times over the years after both resettled in Chelsea. The Dyes and their children, Elaine and Allan, and Clem, Donna and Bart shared so much, but most of all a great love for one another.
There are many more stories like these, John Harvey and Loretta Burrows, Bruce and Beverly Hough, Donna’s sister and her husband, Norma and Monte Summy and their beloved Telia, and Clem’s cousin Kem Rogers (Will’s grandson). When he was stationed nearby in the military, Clem and Donna welcomed Kem and his wife into their home and they were able to become great friends despite the miles that had separated then in their young years.
Clem and Donna have been wonderful to my family. My father worked cattle with him when he lived in Nowata. My good friend and mentor Lola Gibson of the White Sisters trick riding team took me to their home when I was a teen-ager. Clem delivered the eulogy for my uncle Everett Shaw, a roper he met as a boy when Shaw and McSpadden family friend Bob Crosby was returning home from a roping contest at Madison Square Garden. A few months ago Clem was in Stonewall to give the eulogy for my aunt Nell Shaw.
Bob and Jeanne have been great friends. Bob never forgot his Rogers County background and gave so much to his new hometown of Vinita. Trent was all Chelsea and Rogers County, and he and Leota raised their children with the same devotion.
Clem always called me “Patricia” whenever I saw him. Last week at Bob’s funeral, he called to me “Hi Patricia” as I walked by his car. I kissed his hand and said I love you. I’m glad for that opportunity.
(Editor’s Note: Reeder is a former Claremore Progress Executive Editor and since retirement has work at Will Rogers Memorial Museums as public relations director.)
Clem Rogers McSpadden
1925- 2008
Born:
November 9, 1925 in Bushyhead
Son of Herb and Madalyn McSpadden, great-grandson of Clem and Mary America Rogers, pioneer Rogers County Cherokee settlers
Died:
July 7, 2008, Houston, Texas
Childhood and Education:
Grew up on Will Rogers ranch, managed by father, graduated Oologah High School and Oklahoma A&M College
Career:
World War II Navy officer
Rodeo announcer more than 60 years, rodeo producer and leader in Professional Cowboys Association
Oklahoma Senator 1954-1972, first person to serve two terms as Senate President Pro-Tempore
United States Congress, 1972-74, did not seek re-election
Partner in McSpadden & Associates, lobbying and consulting firm in Oklahoma City
Survivors:
Wife, Donna Cassidy McSpadden of Chelsea; sons, Bart McSpadden and his wife, Kate, of Edmond and their children, Noah, Chloe, Tucker and Luke, and Paul McSpadden and his wife, Connie, of Richardson Texas, and their children John of Richardson and James of Oklahoma City; and daughter, Kay Lucas and her husband, Joe, of Edmond.
Services:
Body lay in state in Oklahoma City on the second floor rotunda of the state Capitol Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Home in Claremore from 4 to 7 p.m.
Final rites 10 a.m. Saturday at Tub Handle Ranch Bushyhead Arena; Rev. Ann Wassom, officiating; burial in Chelsea Cemetery, under direction of Chelsea Funeral Home and Crematory.
Robert Palmer McSpadden
1931-2008
Born:
February 11, 1931 in Chelsea
Son of Herb and Madalyn McSpadden, great-grandson of Clem and Mary America Rogers, pioneer Rogers County Cherokee settlers
Died:
Thursday, June 26, 2008, Tulsa
Childhood and Education:
Grew up on Will Rogers Ranch, managed by father, graduate Chelsea High School and attended Northeastern State University
Career:
United State Air Force during Korean Conflict 1951-1954, First National Bank of Vinita, owner-operator of McSpadden Car Wash in Vinita
Survivors:
Wife, Jeanne Taylor McSpadden of Chelsea; and sons, Robin McSpadden and his wife, Stacy, of Oologah, Phil McSpadden of Oklahoma City, and Mark McSpadden and his wife, Stacee of Vinita; and grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Meredith, Michael, Claire, Emma and Micaela McSpadden.
Services:
Episcopal Church 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, at Cowboy Junction in Vinita; Rev. Dave Huxley, Rev. Lisa Mitchell, Rev. Bill Mason and Rev. Howard Wilson officiating; burial in Chelsea Cemetery, under direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.