Springfield businessperson Sam F. Hamra dies

Last edited 1:59 p.m., Aug. 3, 2024 [Editor's note: A statement from the city of Springfield has been added.]

Sam F. Hamra, a Springfield businessperson known in multiple industries for decades, has died.

Hamra’s son, Mike, confirmed his father’s passing in a public Facebook post. Hamra, 92, was born Jan. 21, 1932, according to the website of Legal Services of Southern Missouri, of which Hamra was instrumental in the formation.

"He loved southwest Missouri and worked to contribute back to the Springfield area, which he and my mom have called home for over 65 years," Mike Hamra said in the post. "We will all miss him dearly but are grateful for the special and loving relationship of 67 years he had with our mother, and that they were blessed with four children and 10 grandchildren."

An attorney and founder of Hamra Enterprises, Sam F. Hamra has garnered such honors as the Springfieldian from the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Excellence in Business Award from Ozarks Technical Community College, Key to the City from Mayor Ken McClure and Lifetime Achievement in Business from Springfield Business Journal.

Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association Executive Director Crista Hogan said Hamra "was one of the most active and supportive members of the SMBA for his entire career."

"He was instrumental in establishing legal services for the indigent in our community and was a generous patron for Legal Services of Southern Missouri," Hogan said. "He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered."

Hamra credited his father for his work ethic in his 2010 Lifetime Achievement in Business profile.

"He taught us without ever saying it but example setting that you work hard, make your money and give back to your community and your country," Sam F. Hamra said in 2010.

With his wife, June, Hamra has given financially to several philanthropic causes and has served on the boards of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, OTC, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, CoxHealth and other organizations. The office of Legal Services of Southern Missouri was named the Sam F. Hamra Center for Justice in 2012.

Mayor McClure issued his condolences to Hamra's family in a statement Saturday afternoon.

“Sam was a community builder and expressed his love for southwest Missouri by continually contributing to the Springfield area,” McClure said. “Sam was one-of-a-kind and made an impact on so many aspects of Springfield."

Born and raised in the Missouri Bootheel town of Steele, Hamra arrived in Springfield in 1959 armed with a University of Missouri law degree, according to past reporting. His law career took him to private practice with various partners, as well as serving as government relations attorney for the city of Branson and as Nixa city attorney. In Branson, 1991-2005, he was instrumental in obtaining federal and state funding for the construction of four lanes on Highway 65 from Christian County south to Branson, and he helped secure $50 million in tax increment financing for the $420 million Branson Landing outdoor lifestyle center.

Known for introducing Springfield to Wendy’s square hamburgers and the chocolate Frosty in the 1970s, Hamra later earned international acclaim with the 2009 R. David Thomas Founder’s Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding franchisee across the Wendy’s system worldwide. Hamra passed the president and CEO role to son, Mike, in 2011.

Hamra also been active in Democratic politics, building a reputation as a successful fundraiser. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1972, 1980 and 1984, according to past reporting.