Sam F. Hamra

Sam F. Hamra, Springfield, Missouri, attorney, restaurateur, and philanthropist, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the age of 92.
Born January 21, 1932, in Steele, Missouri, Sam received his business degree in 1954 and law degree in 1959 from the University of Missouri. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Field Artillery in Germany and Fort Meade, Maryland, 1954-56.
Sam began his legal career in Springfield in 1959, at Miller, Fairman & Sanford Law Firm. He later established his own private practice and served as city attorney for Nixa and governmental relations attorney for the cities of Branson and St. Robert. Mr. Hamra was instrumental in the formation of Legal Services of Southern Missouri in Springfield, which helps citizens whose legal needs are unmet by other traditional legal services.
Sam had a love for all things political and served as Delegate to three Democratic National Conventions and as a Presidential Elector. He also served as State Treasurer of the Missouri Democratic Party.
In 1975, he became a franchisee of Wendy's restaurants and later became a franchisee with Panera Bread. The company he founded, Hamra Enterprises, now operates 196 restaurants, in 11 states, with over 7,400 employees.
Sam has been a strong community member and supporter. He has served on numerous boards, including Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, in which he was a founding member and charter president; Springfield Chamber of Commerce; Missouri Sports Hall of Fame; Springfield Jaycees; and he has been a long-time member of Hickory Hills Country Club. In 2018, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce honored Sam with the Springfieldian of the Year award and Springfield Mayor Ken McClure honored him with the Key to the City in 2022.
Mr. Hamra was a supporter of higher education, including his alma mater, University of Missouri; Missouri State University; and OTC, where he served on the OTC Foundation Board for many years. He also served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including Cox Hospital; The Kitchen, Inc.; the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs; and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where he was serving as a member of its Emeritus Board of Directors at the time of his death.
Sam and his wife June Hamra have an extensive history of philanthropic involvement, supporting higher education, healthcare, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Miracle Network, the Arts, and many other charities and non-profits.
Sam Hamra never met a stranger in his life. He leaves behind a legacy of great achievement, compassion and care for all people, and an ambition to leave the world a better place.
Sam is survived by his loving wife, June of 68 years; his son Michael Hamra and his wife, Eileen; two daughters, Karen Groves and her husband, Bob, and Jacqueline Mesa and her husband, Carlos; ten grandchildren: Cindie Toolen and her husband, Rob, John Hamra and his wife, Kari, Robert Groves and his wife, Shawna, Katherine Groves, Andrew Mesa, Gabrielle Mesa, Melanie Robertson, Brooke Robertson, Max Robertson and Zack Hamra; and three great grandsons, Sawyer Hamra, Scout Hamra and Kaiden Toolen. Also surviving are two sisters, Joan Homra of Fulton, Kentucky, and Marilyn White and her husband, Tom, of Memphis, Tennessee: sister-in-law Carolyn Hamra of Little Rock, Arkansas, and several nephews, nieces, and relatives. His father, Sam Farris Hamra, his mother, Victoria A. Hamra, his brother, Jerry Hamra, and his son Sam F. Hamra III preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 3 – 6 pm on Friday, August 9 at Second Baptist Church, 3111 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, Missouri. Services under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home are scheduled at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 10 at Second Baptist Church. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Ozark Technical Community College, Legal Services of Southern Missouri, CoxHealth Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.