Gregory Keith McLean

Gregory Keith McLean, 49, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 28, 2024, after a brief final illness. Greg’s life was lived with faith and courage, and he touched many lives with his friendship, care, humor and musical talent. Standing over 7 feet tall, Greg was a gentle giant who loved his family and friends well and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Greg was born on Nov. 7, 1975, in Dilley, Texas, the third child and only surviving son of William “Bill” McLean and Carol Parrish McLean. Born with a genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome, Greg faced medical challenges his whole life. Over and over, he defied medical predictions about limitations and a shorter lifespan. Instead, with the loving support of his family, Greg pursued his goals and lived as rich a life as he could. After he graduated from Bartlesville High School, where he particularly stood out in the marching band starring as such memorable special characters as the Wizard in Fantasia and the Energizer Bunny, Greg went on to get an associate’s degree in Christian youth ministry at Crowley’s Ridge Christian College in Paragould, Ark., before moving to Harding University in Searcy to complete his bachelor’s work. While his health challenges disrupted his education, Greg continued to earn degree credits for several years at Oklahoma Christian University to finish a degree in youth ministry and vocal music. Greg’s passion was music, which he pursued as an amazing bass singer in various music groups throughout his life as well as in the praise worship team at Adams Blvd. Church of Christ, which was his home church for almost 40 years and where he was deeply involved in community groups and other aspects of church life. Passionate about his faith, Greg also engaged in Christian mission work in the U.S., Mexico and Japan. In his later years, as Greg’s health limited more active pursuits and for a time limited his vocal abilities, Greg took up substitute teaching, first in Edmond, Okla., and then in Bartlesville, Okla., which gave him the continued opportunity to serve young people and be a positive role model. Greg is preceded in death by his father, Bill McLean; a sister, Kelley McLean; and grandparents, Bruce and Lola McLean and Johnnie and Nita Parrish. He is survived by his mother, Carol McLean; sisters Karen Monroe and Renee McLean; nephews Chad Cox, Ben South, Jacob South and Lane South; nieces Melisa McLean and Sanya McLean; an aunt, Sue Zimmerman; cousins and a new generation of grand-nieces and -nephews; and many friends who have loved him well and will miss him greatly. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Adams Blvd. Church of Christ in Bartlesville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Greg’s memory to The Marfan Foundation.

Gregory Keith McLean

November 7, 1975 - November 28, 2024