Oklahomans Pay Respects To Aubrey McClendon At Public Memorial Service

Oklahoma said goodbye to a man called a visionary on Monday. The family of Aubrey McClendon held a public memorial service to remember the oil and gas icon.

McClendon died in a fiery crash last Wednesday.

It was standing room only at Crossings Community Church for the memorial and McClendon’s family said that is an indication of how many lives he touched.

“Aubrey was a very curious guy. He wanted to learn and at the same time, he wanted to inspire others,” said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. “I don't think I ever walked away from a conversation with Aubrey when I didn't feel like a little better of a person.”

At McClendon’s memorial service, the 56-year-old was called a life force and a visionary in the oil and gas industry.

Tom Blalock is the Chief Legal Officer at the company McClendon founded in 2013, American Energy Partners. Blalock told the packed crowd, "Men like Aubrey come around every generation or so. He had that special combination of intelligence, vision, creativity, charisma, guts and work ethic that was unmatched."

3/7/2016 Related Story: Oklahomans To Remember Aubrey McClendon At Memorial Service

McClendon was proud of his reckless philanthropy as he called it, mocking a headline from the past, and constantly gave back to the community. The Boys and Girls Club was his favorite charity and instead of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the organization.

“In the history of our city, there can't be but a handful of people who have ever risen to the professionalism and love of this community that Aubrey McClendon did,” Cornett told News 9.  “He did so much for so many.”

McClendon's three children said he lived for three things: friends, fun and family. They shared stories, like the Christmas they were bummed to see no snow, so McClendon ran his sprinklers all night long in freezing temperatures to give them a winter wonderland Christmas morning.

They also spoke of their father’s love for their mother, Katie, who he married 35 years ago. The McClendon children said their father was their best friend, their hero and his loss is overwhelming.

“Aubrey's life impacted thousands and thousands of people and I would add, he's impacted generations that are yet to come,” Cornett explained. “He's forever changed this city.”

Gov. Frank Keating spoke at the service and said McClendon was truly extraordinary and he will be extraordinarily difficult to replace.

Oklahoma City Police said they will release the accident report for the crash that killed McClendon next week.