Lewis Mclean

Arthur Lewis McLean, son of the late James Arthur and Grace Ann (Woods) McLean, was born January 18, 1927, in Douglas County, Missouri, and departed this life December 19, 2022, at his home in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was 95 years, 11 months, and 1 day of age.

As a young man Lewis worked picking fruit in Oregon and Washington. He followed this up by becoming foreman of ways for C&H sugar company in San Diego. Lewis decided to return to Mountain Grove where he took up farming, tending a dairy herd & raising beef cattle. He loved this outdoor life and continued for 70 years.

Lewis loved sharing stories from the good old days. One example was of his mom sneaking candy from the general store they operated at Goodville to him and his 8 siblings without his dad’s knowledge. Lewis’ favorite pastime was hunting. First with his brother Ted and his lifetime friend Charlie Gilley. Of course, his favorite was his grandson, Eric, who he carried on his shoulders through the woods. As the two became more tender hearted they stopped firing shots and just enjoyed the wildlife. He also enjoyed making large gardens and sharing with friends and neighbors. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or cut a load of firewood for a widow.

Lewis was a founding member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mountain Grove and remained faithful until his passing.

Lewis was blessed with family and friends especially grandson, Eric, and granddaughter, Andrea, who gave selflessly of their time and efforts with transportation and attention to make his days brighter. He loved his family and friends and will be missed greatly by all.

Besides his parents, Lewis was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Ann McLean, his second wife, Betty Jean McLean, three brothers, Fred, Ted, and Dale, and five sisters, Nellie, Beatrice, Lucille, Inez, and Betty.

Lewis is survived by two daughters, Barbara McLean and her husband, Don, of Roswell, New Mexico, and Bonnie Thompson of Springfield, Missouri, three grandchildren, Natalie Calvird (Michael), Eric Ragain (Tracy), and Andrea Nunez (Pete Flores), four great-grandchildren, Ryan Ragain, Sarah Ragain, Robbie Lewis Nunez, and McKayla Grajeda (Alfonzo), and one great-great-grandchild, Aries Grajeda.