Stop by the JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum to see and purchase the new biography written about the life and times of Clem McSpadden. Get a chance to meet the author and have your book signed as well!

“The long-awaited book on the life of Rogers county, Okahoma native Clem McSpadden, will be unveiled May 16, 4th floor Rotunda, State Capitol, Oklahoma City, Ok.  The 1 pm – 3 pm premiere signing will introduce the 200  plus page coffee table book on husband, father,  rancher, State Senator, U.S. Congressman, rodeo announcer, neighbor and friend who died at the age of 82 from cancer.

McSpadden lived on the ranch of his Great-Uncle Will Rogers, and early on adapted to the ranch life in the good shadow of his father, Herb McSpadden, ranch manager.  Clem tells of the visits of Will Rogers to his home place; the day of the Rogers/Post plane crash in Point Barrow, ALaska; his school days riding horseback to Oologah school; 4-H Club; Oklahoma A & M; enlisting in the U.S. Navy in WWII; rodeos as competitor and announcer; marriage, two children, divorce; elected to Oklahoma State Senate; married Donna; had their son Bart;  U.S. Congress; General Mgr. National Finals Rodeo; Indian National Finals Rodeo; and started his roping at their Bushyhead Ranch in 1975; later adding the Bushyhead Pasture Roping and Barrel Race.   Clem is one of the most respected men; never critical; never judgmental.  He was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and passed away in 2008. His funeral was held at the Bushyhead Ranch, with Reba McEntire and family singing……just like she did in 1974 when he first hired her for $10 a performance to sing the National Anthem at the NFR rodeo in OKC.  Bart gave the Eulogy which was heard by the 3300 mourners.  The hearse stopped at McSpadden’s home in Chelsea, transferring Clem to the horse drawn carriage which carried him through the streets of the town where he, Donna and Bart chose to live among friends, to his final resting place in the Chelsea Cemetery.

He was buried in the family plot, joining his parents Herb and Madalyn McSpadden, his two brothers Bob and Trent McSpadden.  Just a few headstones away is the grave of his Great Grandfather, C.V. Rogers, for whom Clem was named.

Parade & Flag Ceremony in honor of Veteran’s Day!

The Flag retirement ceremony will take place at JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum.

The parade starts at 11 am at the Claremore Expo Center and will travel east on Will Rogers Blvd.