Prominent developer Lee McLean Jr. dies at 101

Lee McLean Jr., a prominent Springfield developer whose work impacted both the commercial and residential markets in the area, has died. He was 101.

McLean died Aug. 25, according to an obituary provided by his family. A visitation and funeral are scheduled to be held next week at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, though the details are being finalized.

His son, Lee McLean III of SVN/Rankin Co., provided a statement to Springfield Business Journal.

"My father's impact on the Springfield area spanned many decades and his legacy will live on for many more," McLean III said in the statement. "It is rare for a week to go by where I don't hear a new story or accomplishment about him from someone in our community that I hadn't heard of prior. I've learned more from him than I could ever put into words. He was the greatest mentor anyone could ever have."

McLean Jr. built around 40 businesses in his career in industries including construction, hospitality, real estate and ranching, according to his obituary. McLean Jr.'s companies employed some 1,500 people at the height of his career, his obituary states.

His development work included the Southern Hills subdivision and Southern Hills Shopping Center, in partnership with late hotelier John Q. Hammons; the Solo Cup building; and portions of Chestnut Expressway, Sunshine Street and Grant Avenue. McLean Jr.'s hospitality businesses developed 35 hotels, including the Howard Johnson that is now Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, and he founded restaurants Ebenezers and Steer N’ Stein. And he assembled McLean Ranches, an 8,000-acre horse and cattle ranch outside Willard that has been home to myriad family gatherings and community events.

"He loved his work and his drive for it never diminished; even in his centenarian years, he still went into the office a few times a week," his obituary reads.

McLean Jr.'s career accolades included the Springfieldian Award in 1986 from the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Pinnacle Award in 2006 from the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, now Visit Springfield, Missouri. He received Developer of the Year honors in 1985 from the Springfield Contractors Association for his work on the Ramada Hawthorn, which is now DoubleTree by Hilton.

In a statement provided to SBJ, Springfield chamber President Matt Morrow said McLean set the stage for future entrepreneurs in the area.

“Lee McLean made a transformative, positive impact on the face of housing and commercial real estate in our community and the broader region,” Morrow said in the statement. “He was a visionary risk-taker with an entrepreneurial spirit that not only built transformative projects and shaped our economic future, but also inspired countless others to embrace their own brands of bold leadership, pursuing a powerful vision for a better future.”

Tracy Kimberlin, former president and CEO of Visit Springfield, Missouri, said in a statement provided to SBJ that "Lee McLean Jr. played a pivotal role in shaping Springfield’s hospitality landscape."

"His vision and dedication helped establish Springfield as a destination for meetings and conventions, laying a strong foundation for the tourism industry we continue to build on today," Kimberlin said in the statement. "We are grateful for his leadership, his investment in our community and the lasting impact he made on Springfield’s growth. On behalf of Visit Springfield, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family."