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John R. MacLean, Jr
Company D-1
19 Jan1938- 8 Nov 2020
Place of Death:Fort Worth, TX
Interment:Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
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 It is with great regret and
sorrow that we must notify you of the death of our Classmate, John MacLean, on 8
Nov 2020 in Fort Worth, TX as a result of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
(PSP), similar to Parkinson’s Disease.
John is survived by his
wife, Carol Jean; their daughter, Leslie; their son, Scott, and his wife Pepper;
and grandsons, Turner and Mack.
In light of Covid-19, the
family will hold a private graveside service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National
Cemetery in Grand Prairie officiated by Dr. Keith Whitworth, of Cleburne, Texas.
Condolences may be sent to
Carol Jean at 1600 Texas Street, # 31802, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3697.
In lieu of flowers, the
family suggests a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014,
Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014; the North Texas Food Bank,
3677 Mapleshade Lane, Plano, TX 75075; or the Pastor’s Emergency Fund, First United Methodist Church of Cleburne, Texas,
PO Box 114, Cleburne, TX 76033.
Well done John, Be thou at
peace.
Remembrances:
Class Memorial Pages/D-1 John MacLean.pdf
Judge MacLean Known as Friend to Everyone
 He was a legendary figure,” Johnson County
Commissioner Larry Woolley said Monday upon learning of the passing of former
Cleburne attorney and judge John R. MacLean Jr.
Johnson County Judge
Roger Harmon agreed. “Boy I’m going to miss old John,” Harmon said. “He
was one of the premiere guys of our county and I’m going to miss him. There was
never any tunnel vision with John. He was a gentleman and a fair man who always
looked at the big picture and treated everyone equally. It’s men of character
like John who have built this community into what it is.” Others spoke of
MacLean’s integrity, fairness and connection to the common man. MacLean,
82, passed away Sunday in his Fort Worth home after suffering Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy. Born in Pueblo, Colorado, MacLean was captain of his
high school’s football team. Following graduation, he received an appointment to
the United State Military Academy at West Point after which he served in the
Army stationed in Germany. After his service, MacLean matriculated to Vanderbilt
Law School where he served as Vanderbilt Bar Association president.
MacLean moved to Cleburne after graduation from law school to begin a practice
with his father-in-law Gean Turner, who subsequently suggested that MacLean
should seek public office. MacLean went on to serve as Johnson County’s
county attorney from 1969 through 1976 and district attorney from 1977 to 1984
before being appointed by then Gov. Mark White to serve as judge of the 249th
District Court. MacLean was board certified by the Texas Board of Legal
Specialization in criminal law and personal injury law and at that time was one
of only six Texas judges to be board certified in two specialities.
MacLean served in public office for 24 years after which he returned to private
practice opening a Cleburne law office with fellow attorney and friend Dan
Boulware, a successful practice that continued until Boulware’s death in 2016.
In addition to his public and private practice duties, MacLean served as
chairman of Johnson County United Way and in various capacities at Cleburne’s
United Methodist Church. A pilot and avid outdoorsman, MacLean, on his 60th
birthday, learned to snowboard in order to surprise his children. He and his
wife, Carol Jean MacLean, were married for 58 years. “John was a great
lawyer, great brother-in-law,” Cleburne attorney Dick Turner said. “My dad loved
him and, after they practiced law together for awhile, encouraged him to get
into public office. We lived close together and talked all the time. John was
one of those guys who had all the answers and you could always go to. Mainly
I’ll remember all the great Christmases and Thanksgivings we all had as a
family.” Current Johnson County Attorney Bill Moore echoed Wolley and
Harmon’s sentiments in remembering MacLean. “John was a true gentleman
and a legal scholar,” Moore said. “You always knew he was going to be fair in
his decisions as district judge and respected his rulings. Judge MacLean
impacted the lives of many people and the citizens of Johnson County truly
benefitted from his public service. He will be missed.” Johnson County
District Attorney Dale Hanna agreed. “He and I tried many cases
together,” Hanna said. “John was a great lawyer and an even better person. I
don’t know of anyone who influenced my career and life as he did and you’ll hear
a lot of people say that. John had the utmost respect for everybody, just one of
the finest people you’ll ever know.” Former Sheriff Bob Alford said he
began working the Johnson County area as a Texas Department of Public Safety
agent when MacLean was district attorney. “Dale Hanna was county
attorney by then and Dan Boulware was assistant DA,” Alford said. “I’d take
cases to them and always got a kick out of hearing John saying, ‘Well Danny boy,
I believe he’s got it.’ That was his standard line when you in a case that had
evidence to support going forward. We tried one of the first organized crime
cases in this area.” More than that, Alford said, MacLean was a man of
character. “Well, he was my personal attorney,” Alford said. “John was
definitely a Christian and lived his life from a Christian perspective. Everyone
was equal and everyone got a fair shot in his eyes. Always had a smile, always
upbeat with a kind word for everybody. Certainly one of the pillars of our
community and he served our county well.” 413th District Judge Bill
Bosworth recalled attending youth group meetings at MacLean’s house during
Bosworth’s middle and high school days. “I started mowing his lawn when I
was in seventh grade,” Bosworth said. “Once, when I was home from college, he
saw me at a stop light by the courthouse and called me inside. He told me some
things going on in a current court trial and explained the procedure of a court
case and exposed me to the law, which I found pretty fascinating.” That,
Bosworth said, was MacLean’s way. “He always took time to talk with, not
to, people,” Bosworth said. “With him it wasn’t just a cursory stop, but taking
time to really talk and listen to others. That man truly did not believe in
having a bad day and every single person in that courthouse or out on the street
was the same to him.” Current 249th District Judge Wayne Bridewell ran
for the district judge seat after MacLean decided not to seek reelection.
“I’ve known John for many years,” Bridewell said. “He was county attorney
when I came on as an assistant prosecutor in 1974. It was an honor to have
worked for John. He was a man of high integrity as a judge and attorney who was
highly respected by many throughout Texas as well as a very beloved public
official in Johnson County and friend to many.” Harmon remembers MacLean
as a friend and a mentor. “When I was a new county judge I frequently
turned to John knowing that he knew the ins and outs of the county,” Harmon
said. “He always exhibited integrity and helped with any questions I had, and he
always steered me straight. I’m going to miss him. We need more people like him
today in our county and country.” In lieu of flowers, family members
suggest donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, North Texas Food Bank or the
Pastor’s Emergency Fund of First United Methodist Church of Cleburne. In
light of COVID-19, family members will hold a private grave side service at the
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery officiated by Dr. Keith Whitworth, with
Rosser Funeral Home of Cleburne providing funeral services.
By Matt Smith msmith@trcle.com Nov 14, 2020
Obituaries:
John R. MacLean, Jr. died peacefully at home in Ft. Worth on November 8, 2020,
after suffering with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), similar to
Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado, in January 1938, to Mary
Victoria Curlin MacLean and John R. (Scotty) MacLean.
John graduated from Centennial High School
in Pueblo, where he was captain of the football team. After graduating from
Centennial, John received an appointment from Congressman J. Edgar Chenoweth to
the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned his B.S.
degree in 1961. While at West Point, he played “B” team football, basketball,
lacrosse, and was a member of the ski and skeet clubs. John was always proud of
the fact that Coach Hank Emerson would put him in a basketball game as the
“enforcer” where he usually fouled out in a matter of minutes.
Before John’s last year at West Point, he
met Carol Jean Turner from Cleburne, Texas, which started their New York/Texas
romance, and ultimate marriage in August of 1962. Upon graduation from West
Point, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, and he
and Carol Jean were stationed in Friedberg, Germany. There, he was a battery
commander for the 27th Artillery of the Third Armored Division, and their
daughter Leslie was born. After an honorable discharge from the Army, they
returned to the United States, to Nashville, Tennessee, where John attended
Vanderbilt Law School, serving as Vanderbilt Bar Association President.
Upon John’s graduation from Vanderbilt in
1967, they moved to Cleburne, Texas, and celebrated the birth of their son
Scotty. John started his law practice in Cleburne with his father-in-law, Gean
Turner, who quickly suggested that he seek public office. He served as County
and District Attorney for Johnson County before being appointed by Governor Mark
White in 1984 to serve as judge of the 249th District Court, a bench to which he
was elected two years later. He proudly served in public office for twenty-four
years. John was board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in
Criminal Law and Personal Injury Law and at the time of his certifications, was
one of only six Texas judges who was board certified in two specialties.
In 1990, after stepping down from the bench,
he opened a private law office in Cleburne with his close friend, Dan Boulware.
MacLean & Boulware enjoyed a successful plaintiff’s trial practice until Dan’s
death in 2016.
During his legal career, John was a National
Board Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); a member of the
Texas Trial Lawyers Association; American Trial Lawyers Association (now AAJ)
and a Texas Bar Fellow, and in 1990 was awarded the Gean B. Turner Memorial
Award for Outstanding Lawyer by the Johnson County Bar Association.
He was a member of the First United
Methodist Church in Cleburne, Texas, where he served in various capacities. John
also served as Chairman of the Johnson County United Way.
John and Carol Jean enjoyed fifty-eight
years together. As newlyweds while living in Germany they traveled all
throughout Europe. In their later years, their love of travel did not wane, and
they enjoyed many memorable family trips to destinations such as Scotland,
Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, Spain, and Russia. What John loved more than
travel, however, was the time spent in Vail Valley with Carol Jean and their
children, Leslie and Scotty, his daughter-in-law Pepper and his grandsons,
Turner and Mack. John and Carol also developed many lasting and cherished
friendships in Vail Valley.
An avid outdoorsman, John loved nothing more
than a blue-sky ski day; a day of fly fishing on any mountain stream; and any
day in a duck blind with a black lab by his side. He was also a private pilot
and enjoyed aviation for many years. John learned to snowboard on his 60th
birthday to surprise his children. He said he could die a happy man because his
grandsons enjoyed the same outdoor sports he so much enjoyed.
John was preceded in death by his parents.He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight
years, Carol Jean MacLean, a son, John R. (Scotty) MacLean and his wife, Pepper,
of Fort Worth, and their children, Turner MacLean and Mack MacLean; a daughter,
Leslie MacLean of Dallas; brother-in-law, Dick Turner, wife Sydney, niece
Meridith Staton and her husband Charles and their children; nephew, Todd Turner
and his children, along with numerous Colorado, Kentucky and Tennessee cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a
donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, North Texas Food Bank, or the
Pastor’s Emergency Fund of First United Methodist Church of Cleburne, Texas.
The family is grateful to John’s dedicated
caregivers: Cutter Bryan, Tim McBrown, Andrea Thomas, Patty and Tony Robles, and
many others who showed such kindness and care during his illness.
In light of Covid-19, the family will hold a
private graveside service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand
Prairie officiated by Dr. Keith Whitworth, of Cleburne, Texas. Funeral services
will be provided by Rosser Funeral Home in Cleburne, Texas.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Ronald MacLean, please visit our
Tribute Store.
Assembly/Taps Memorial Article:
JOHN R. MACLEAN 1961
Cullum No. 23696-1961 | November 8, 2020
Died in Fort Worth, TX
Interred in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Grand Prairie, TX
John Ronald MacLean Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. MacLean, was born in
Pueblo, CO. He grew up as a happy child with a supportive family in Pueblo,
which was then a steel mill town. His father was a businessman, and his mother
was a dedicated schoolteacher. She encouraged John to work hard on his
schoolwork, while his father encouraged him in athletics and outdoor activities,
which were lifelong passions.
John was a popular student at Centennial High School in Pueblo, where he was
captain of the football team and an outstanding basketball player. After
graduation in 1956, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma and, while at a
fraternity party, received a call from his father that he had been appointed to
West Point by Congressman J. Edgar Chenoweth. His father said, “Hello General,”
displaying the same humor that John had. John then enrolled at the prep school
in Washington, DC to prepare for West Point.
At West Point, John was recognized as an outgoing person and emerging leader. He
was successful in academics and mastered courses ranging from mathematics
through liberal arts and military studies. He was on the Plebe Basketball Team
and proud that Coach Hank Emerson would put him in a game as the “enforcer,”
during which he usually fouled out quickly. John was an end on the B squad
Football Team yearling year, and participated enthusiastically in
extracurricular activities, including the Ski and Skeet clubs. Unfortunately, he
broke his ankle using bear trap bindings on the rope tow ski run at West Point.
He also enjoyed traveling to several cities to compete in skeet shoots. John was
a cow corporal and then a cadet lieutenant. He enjoyed talking with friends
about dreams for the future and current political topics. During summers, John
enjoyed traveling, especially back to Colorado to revisit his favorite trout
streams. In 1960, while on a fishing trip in Lake City, CO, he met Carol Jean
Turner from Cleburne, TX, and this started their New York-Texas romance, which
resulted in marriage in 1962.
Upon graduation, John was commissioned a second lieutenant and attended
Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK. He was then sent to Friedberg, Germany and
became a battery commander for the 27th Artillery of the Third Armored Division.
John and Carol Jean enjoyed living nearby in Bad Nauheim, where their daughter,
Leslie, was born in 1964.
After a successful tour, John decided to join civilian life and study law, which
was a passion of his at West Point. He, Carol Jean, and Leslie moved to
Nashville, TN, where John attended Vanderbilt Law School and had fellowship with
his Uncle Pete, his mother’s brother. John thrived at law school and served as
the Vanderbilt Bar Association president.
After John’s graduation from Vanderbilt in 1967, the family moved to Cleburne to
start a new career and life. A son, John R. (Scotty) MacLean, was born. Scotty
grew up and married Pepper, of Fort Worth, TX, and had two sons, Turner and
Mack, whom John bragged about frequently. Leslie and Scotty continued the family
tradition by becoming outstanding lawyers.
In Cleburne, John joined the law practice of his father-in-law, Gean Turner, who
John credited with mentoring him for a successful law career. Gean suggested
that John seek public office, and John served as county and district attorney
for Johnson County before being appointed by Governor Mark White in 1984 to
serve as judge of the 249th District Court, a bench to which he was elected two
years later. He proudly served in public office for 24 years. John was board
certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law and
Personal Injury Law and was one of only six Texas judges with two board
certifications. After leaving the bench in 1990, John opened a private law
office in Cleburne with his close friend, Dan Boulware. MacLean & Boulware had a
successful plaintiff’s trial practice until Dan’s death in 2016. During his
legal career, John was a national board member of the American Board of Trial
Advocates; a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial
Lawyers Association, and a Texas Bar fellow; and, in 1990, awarded the Gean B.
Turner Memorial Award for Outstanding Lawyer by the Johnson County Bar
Association.
John was a solid family man and was married to Carol Jean for 58 years. He was a
member of the First United Methodist Church in Cleburne, where he served in
various capacities. John also served as chairman of the Johnson County United
Way. As newlyweds John and Carol Jean had traveled throughout Europe, and they
later enjoyed many memorable family trips to destinations such as Scotland,
Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, Spain, and Russia. What John loved more than
travel, however, was the time spent in Vail Valley with Carol Jean, Leslie,
Scotty and Pepper, and grandsons, Turner and Mack. John and Carol Jean also
developed many lasting and cherished friendships in Vail Valley.
John was very generous and had a magnetic personality that attracted many
friends. He was a great communicator and storyteller. His close friend and
hunting partner, Cheesy Nelson, said that John could “communicate with a fence
post.” John was an avid outdoorsman and loved nothing more than a blue-sky ski
day, a day of fly fishing on any mountain stream, and any day in a duck blind
with a couple of friends and a black lab by his side. He was also a private
pilot and enjoyed aviation for many years. He learned to snowboard on his 60th
birthday to surprise his children. He said he could die a happy man because his
grandsons enjoyed the same outdoor sports he so much enjoyed.
— Dr. Neil Grigg
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