Bart McSpadden

Memorial service for Barton Casity "Bart" McSpadden will be 10 a.m., Fri., Oct. 17, at First Baptist Church of Chelsea with Rev. Ann Wasson officiating. Services are under the direction of Chelsea Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Bart McSpadden, 46, passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 19, 2014, at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Bart, son of Clem and Donna Casity McSpadden, was born December 21, 1967. He considered himself very fortunate to be able to live in Oklahoma City, Bushyhead Ranch, Chelsea, OK, Washington, D.C., and Edmond, Oklahoma. Bart attended pre-school in McLean, Virginia. He began first grade at McIntosh School in Chelsea, Oklahoma, graduating Chelsea High School in 1986. Bart was elected to class offices, served on the Gifted and Talented team and mock trial. He belonged to Cub Scotts, and Boy Scouts, earning The Order of the Arrow and Eagle Scout ranks. He attended Boy Scout World Jamboree in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Bart enrolled in The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor of Political Science Degree. He was a member and President of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Fraternity. Bart was accepted into Oklahoma University College of Law, earning JD in 1993. He studied at Queen's College, Oxford, England. Bart interned at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. (NOAA). He worked at law firms in the Oklahoma City area until he approached his Dad to become an employee of their lobbying firm to work with him and learn from him, not to inherit the business. It was a good match and Governmental Relations company was a fit for the family and continues as a dedicated firm.

Bart was concerned about the lives of others and was overly generous. He was rooted in his Christian faith as evidenced by his mission trips to the Czech Republic, Mexico, and India. He kept friends and had time for people of all ages. As a young child he cherished trips with his Grandmother and Grandad Casity, holidays and visits with his Casity and McSpadden families, winter sleigh rides with families and friends, the annual vacation with his Mom and Dad between Christmas and New Years. Bart was the youngest 'Clem's Cowpoke' in his Dad's group of volunteer youngsters and parents. He considered the trips with his Dad's legislative, business, ranching and rodeo as "adventures". The thrill each year was to have his December 21 birthday the night to decorate the Christmas tree at the family home with classmates, neighbors, and friends; later it became the same group with their children...a joyous time. Bart's hobbies were fly fishing, gardening, cooking and spending all the time he could with his family.

Bart and Kathleen "Kate" Murphy were married July 3, 1999 in New Hampshire and started their home and family in Oklahoma.

Bart had a gentle, compassionate faith. His welcoming spirit was contagious, and friends became as family. He leaves a legacy of serving his family, friends, community and state.

Bart is survived by his wife, Kate; their children, Noah, Chloe, Tucker and Luke; his mother, Donna McSpadden; and his father, the late Clem McSpadden; and other family members: Norma and Monte Summy, Telia and Don Lewis, Trent and Leota McSpadden family, Bob and Jeanne McSpadden family, Kay and Joe Lucas, Paul and Connie McSpadden family, Mr. and Mrs. James McSpadden and Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Herb McSpadden, Qunicy, Tate and Sadie; and the Tom Murphy family.