Clifton Max Speegle
September 1, 1945 – November 20, 2018
Clifton Max Speegle was born September 1, 1945 in Oklahoma City, to Clifton M. and Jimmie (King) Speegle. As the son of a college and professional football coach, Max grew up on athletic fields across the country, including Stillwater; Hamilton, NY; and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Max graduated from Stillwater High School in 1963 and was the quarterback for the Pioneer football team while his father was coaching the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He joined the US Naval Reserves following high school, spending college summers on Navy ships around the world. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University in 1967. Max married Linda Service on June 18, 1967 and reported for Naval flight school two weeks later in Pensacola, Florida. Max and Linda were eventually stationed at the Whidbey Island Air Station in Washington state. His naval career included navigating eighty-seven A-6 Jet combat bomber missions into North Vietnam and Laos from the decks of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during his tour on the Ranger. Max believed in something bigger than himself, faithfully serving his country in a time of war. After being honorably discharged from the Navy at the rank of Lieutenant in 1971, Max and Linda, along with baby Teresa, returned to Oklahoma. Max began law school at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with his Juris Doctor and master's degree in Business Administration in 1974. His professional achievements include not only his 44 year private law practice but also serving as Municipal Judge for the City of Edmond 1977-1986, Edmond City Attorney 1986-1987, Edmond City Manager 1987-1994, General Counsel of Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority 1994-2010; adjunct instructor at UCO teaching courses in municipal finance, municipal management, economic development and law; and as the author of various publications including Oklahoma Cities and Towns, Oklahoma Bar Journal and Public Management magazine. Max made significant contributions to his community through service to government, education, civic and religious organizations including the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma Association of Municipal Attorneys, Edmond Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, First Christian Church of Edmond Elders, Oklahoma City Council of the Navy League—1 st Vice President, International City Management Association, Edmond Central Rotary Club—President 1998, Leadership Oklahoma Class VII, Edmond Jaycees, Edmond Citizen of the Year 1990 and the Edmond Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame 2015. Max was an avid reader and lifelong learner, completing master's degrees from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs and Texas Tech University. After retirement, Max spent time on the golf course with his cherished group (and later Monday morning breakfast) for spirited conversation and lifelong friendships. Max and Linda renewed their love of little cars, christening Triumphs Ozzie and Harriet as their golden years' pastime. This brought them a group of friends who they spent countless Saturdays with on local drives, garage work days and road trips to car competitions coast to coast—special friendships and lasting memories. Most importantly, he was Dad and Grandad. His children Teresa, Lisa and Cliff learned to navigate the world by the example he set in his own life—not by telling them how to live their lives, but by living his own life with integrity, humility, purpose and love. He was Grandad to Will, Cade, Mattie, Abby, Max, Clay and Cora—loving and sharing with them family golf rounds, lake trips, instruction on riding and driving his John Deere mower and his beloved Triumphs. He was a tremendous influence on his entire family, passing on the values of what it means to be a true friend, a good citizen and to give while not expecting anything in return. Max is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda Service Speegle; daughter Teresa Speegle Christison and son-in-law Mark, children Cade and Abby, of Edmond; daughter Lisa Speegle Long and son-in-law Brett, children Will, Mattie and Max, of Edmond; son Cliff Speegle and daughter-in-law Karen, children Clay and Cora, of Overland Park, Kansas; sister Jean Speegle Stout, of Tulsa, nieces Penelope Stout Daniels and Natalie Stout Coker; brother Stanley Speegle and sister-in-law Beth, niece Brooke Speegle of Denver, CO; sister Sandra Speegle Nobles, and niece Mallory Nobles, of Dallas, TX; and a host of King and Speegle extended family. Celebration of life will be at First Christian Church on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Max's name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.