Longtime Missouri Educator Art MacLean Dies at 78

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Arthur Jack 'Art' MacLean, a longtime educator in Missouri who taught and coached for over 30 years, has died at the age of 78. MacLean taught at several schools throughout the state, including Trinity Lutheran School, Norborne Public Schools, and Marshall Public Schools, before retiring in 2003. He also served as a recruiter for Saint Paul Lutheran High School from 2003 to 2009.

Why it matters

MacLean's dedication to education and mentoring young people spanned decades in Missouri. As an avid outdoorsman and lifelong Lutheran, he made a lasting impact on the lives of students, athletes, and his community through his teaching, coaching, and faith.

The details

MacLean began his teaching career at Trinity Lutheran School in Alma in 1970, where he remained until 1978. He then taught in the Norborne Public School District from 1978 to 1987 and the Marshall Public School District from 1987 until his retirement in 2003. In addition to his teaching duties, MacLean was an avid volleyball coach at St. Paul Lutheran High School, as well as Marshall and Higginsville. After retiring from teaching, he became a recruiter for Saint Paul Lutheran High School from 2003 to 2009.

• MacLean was born on October 24, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• He graduated from East Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1966.
• MacLean earned a bachelor's degree in education from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska in 1970.
• He earned a master's degree in education from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri in 1981.
• MacLean taught from 1970 until his retirement in 2003, and then worked as a recruiter from 2003 to 2009.

What’s next

Memorial services for Art MacLean will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs, Missouri.