Donald Lee Mclean

Donald Lee McLean, age 73, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2017. Visitation 1-8 pm on Thursday evening, with family greeting from 5-7 pm; Memorial Service 2 pm Friday, December 15th, both held at Smith Mortuary - Haysville, 7031 S. Broadway.

Don was born on January 14, 1944 in Mountain Grove, Missouri to parents Ted and Clara McLean. He spent his early childhood with his mother's parents, Herbert and Lura Freeman, joining his parents in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 10. After graduating from South High School in 1962, Don studied at mechanical school and in 1964 started work as a mechanic at Steve Hall Ford dealership, which later became Mel Hambelton Ford, and transitioned to work in the body shop. Don was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972 after four years of service. His hunger for body work knowledge drove him to learn every aspect of the field and later came to be known as one of the best all around body repairmen in Wichita. He could do it all, auto body repair, frame work and body painting, cracking jokes along the way. Later in his career, he came to work at Sonny's Auto Body Shop and became a valued employee and friend to this hard working team. Don's passion for house remodeling and woodworking led him to transform every house he ever owned, which were quite a few. He loved gardening with Larisa and learning new things all the time.

Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 11 years, Larisa; daughter, Dana (and son-in-law, Adrian) Redburn; son, Michael McLean; brother, Duane McLean.