Harry McLear

Harry McLear age 97, of Leawood, Kansas passed away peacefully at Kansas City Hospice with family at his side, and with his favorite background music, such as Sinatra, Basie, Beethoven, Mathis, Carmichael, and Cole softly playing.

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Harry and Laura (Howard) McLear. Kansas City was always his home. Harry attended Central High School in Kansas City, Baker University and graduated in 1950 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he met his wife, Madelyn, and was President of his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He enlisted into WWII after high school and served as part of the Pacific Theater Victory Fleet, and for a time was based in occupied Japan. He shared stories from that time, highlighted by witnessing a prominent Japanese General surrender in the Philippines and that his ship captain let him take the wheel into San Francisco Bay upon their return.

In his youth, Harry enjoyed playing sports particularly baseball, helping his team win the Kansas City American Legion championship in 1945. He was offered a minor league contract by the NY Yankees; however, WWII scuttled those aspirations. Baseball always remained close to his heart whether it be a fan or little league coach. Harry was a long-time season ticket holder to the Chiefs, the Kansas City A’s and the Royals for over 50 years. He preferred to sit near first base and close enough that players or coaches would often get an earful, particularly if they were ‘dogging-it’ as he would say. For the Chiefs, he was an original ‘Wolf Pack’ member, and sat for decades on the opposing sideline amongst the devoted group of hecklers. His interactions and familiarity with parking attendants and concession salespeople was often more fun for him than the games themselves. No doubt, he was thrilled to see the Royals and Chiefs win additional championships. A high point in his life was throwing the ceremonial opening pitch at the age of 89 for the deciding game of the 2015 American League Divisional Series. Always active in sports, he eventually became an avid golfer, known to his golfing buddies as ‘Hondo’.

A devoted family man, married for over 72 years, and proud father of seven, Harry had an infectious personality resulting in many lasting friendships. He enjoyed sharing his Tucson home with friends to play golf or to escape the KC winter. He was confident in his beliefs and virtues and taught his family to listen and learn from others. As a kid from the Great Depression, he had a propensity to help those less fortunate. He had an affinity for spy novels, western movies and art, native American culture and anything related to the movie Casablanca. He had a natural dapper style and especially enjoyed wearing his Fedora hats. His life was filled with generosity, support and love for his family and friends.

He enjoyed a successful career in financing municipal bond capital infrastructure projects at McLear and Company, founded in 1969, initially located inside the old Lillis building in downtown Kansas City, MO, eventually moving uptown and then to Westwood, Kansas. His business focused on small communities and districts throughout Missouri and Kansas. Traveling back roads to growing communities was an adventure and led to, as he would say, many story-telling type deals. It is lore, but he swears he hypnotized a chicken in western Kansas fostering rapport with a town council member. With his travels and involvement in politics blossomed a multitude of meaningful relationships.

Philanthropically, Harry served on several boards, and financially supported many organizations and individuals without receiving accolades. He started a non-profit, Mid-American Association for Autism Training and Research (MAATR) which focuses on financial support of organizations and projects related to Autism. His son Matthew, affected by autism, spurred this endeavor and passion. He served as Director of Consular Corps of Kansas City representing the Kingdom of Morocco as an Honorary Consul for over 35 years. His diplomatic appointment was a source of pride, having received the highest foreign service medal from the Moroccan King himself. This appointment spawned many relationships with other foreign representatives in the Kansas City area, in Washington, D.C. and in Morocco.

He is survived by his loving wife Madelyn (Allen) McLear and by his seven children, Kelly McLear (Greg), Chrissa Hoffmeier, Julie Schumacher (David), Debbie Ball (Kevin), Holly McLear (David Maguire), Matthew McLear, and Mark McLear. His grandchildren Sarah Behrens (Brent), Max Hoffmeier (Ashley), Sam Hoffmeier, Rachel Ball, Ryan Ball, Monica Ball, Sydney Schumacher, Ian Schumacher, Kylen Schumacher, and great grandchildren Eva, Addison, and Mabry. A true gem, Harry will be incredibly missed, and undoubtedly leave a smile upon his legacy.

Services will be held at the Church of the Nativity on Saturday, December 9, 2023 with a mass at 11am followed by a celebratory reception lunch in the parish hall at 12 noon, and then burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. The mass will be livestreamed at https://kcnativity.org/ . All are welcome to attend any or all his remembrance. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to KC Hospice https://www.kchospice.org/ or to MAATR, 10777 Barkley #220C, Overland Park, KS 66211.