Archives West Finding Aid

Walter Gray McLean was born June 18, 1881 to Sutherland and Alma F. (Gray) McLean in Worthington, Minnesota. He was the only son, with four sisters. The family moved to Seattle in 1889, when Walter was seven. In 1891,Walter's father Sutherland McLean founded Sparkman & McLean, one of Seattle's oldest realty firms. Walter attended the University of Washington, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Sigma Tau Chapter. He was coxswain of the University's first eight-oar crew, and involved in many student activities and organizations, including the Fir Tree honor society. He earned a B.A. in 1905, and an L.L.B. (Law degree) in 1907. As secretary to former University of Washington president Frank P. Graves, he acquired the nickname "Sec," which stuck with him the rest of his life. After college, in 1907, he joined Sparkman and McLean, his father's real estate company. He later became president of the company, remaining there until his death. In 1918, he joined the 17th training Battery in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Walter married Catherine C. Baxter of Seattle in 1922 and they had two sons: Sutherland Baxter McLean, and Luther Loren McLean. Walter was involved in many Seattle organizations. He was president of the Mercer Island Golf and Country Club circa 1929-1939. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, on the board of trustees of the Seattle Scottish Rite Temple, a member in the Nile Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Seattle, the Washington Athletic Club, the University Club, and the Seattle Realty Board. Although he never practiced law, he kept his membership in the Washington Bar Association. He was very active as a "Fiji" (Phi Gamma Delta) alumnus until his death. He died from a heart attack on May 30th, 1945 at the age of 63.