Springfield Standard

Springfield Mayor Ken McClure and his colleagues on the City Council have extended their condolences to the family and friends of Sam F. Hamra, who recently passed away. Hamra was an attorney and the Founder & Chairman of Hamra Enterprises, which owns and operates 156 restaurants and various real estate projects in Missouri and across the country.

“Sam was a community builder and expressed his love for southwest Missouri by continually contributing to the Springfield area,” said Mayor Ken McClure. “Sam was one-of-a-kind and made an impact on so many aspects of Springfield.” Mayor McClure awarded him with the Key to the City in 2022. “His ingenuity, dedication, and generosity are traits to emulate, and he is very worthy of this special honor,” McClure said at the time.

The son of a Lebanese immigrant, Hamra was born and grew up in Steele, Missouri. He graduated from Gulf Coast Military Academy, earned degrees in business and law from the University of Missouri, and served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He was appointed by the President to serve as U.S. Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Western Missouri, which included Fort Leonard Wood and Knob Noster Air Force Base.

As Nixa's City Attorney, he played a key role in building the City's Electrical Distribution System. As Branson's governmental relations attorney, he secured funding for widening Highway 65 from Christian County line to Branson. He also helped obtain funding for widening Chestnut Expressway in Springfield from Highway 65 to Kansas Avenue.

A very active civic advocate, Hamra served as Charter President of the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, Founding Member of OakStar Bank, and also served on the Foundation Board for Ozarks Technical Community College where the "Sam and June Hamra Family Library" is located.

The "Sam F. Hamra Center for Justice," an 11,000-square-foot building honored Mr. Hamra's organizing efforts as First Board Chairman of Legal Services of Southern Missouri now serves 43 Southern Missouri counties with 18 full-time attorneys.

The Hamras donated $800,000 for purchasing land for constructing The Kitchen Homeless Family Shelter on O'Reilly Campus.

Hamra received several accolades including being named "Springfieldian of The Year" by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on January 26, 2018—the Chamber’s most prestigious annual award honoring him for outstanding community service, excellence in his field, and long-time dedication to improving quality of life in Springfield.