Daniel Stephen McNamara, age 86, passed away Sunday, February 28 at his home in Jackson, MS.
Born in Atlanta, GA on June 5, 1934, Daniel was the third of five children in the family of Arvella “Peggy” Harrell McNamara and John James McNamara, Jr.
When he was a small child, his family moved to Jackson, where his father was a civil engineer with the MS State Highway Dept. Daniel and his twin, David, enjoyed a fun-filled childhood growing up with other “Belhaven Brats” roaming the woods behind the old insane asylum where they built treehouses and rode horses, having rubber gun wars in the ditches, and delivering newspapers on their bicycles. He attended St. Joseph Academy for 12 years, graduating in 1952.
While in high school he and his brother, David, excelled in sports, especially football, resulting in a joint football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from ND in 1956, he served in the United States Army for two years in Germany as a chaplain’s assistant.
Upon his discharge, Daniel returned to Jackson to begin his business career. He married Mary Bishop on June 25th, 1960, in Jackson, and they were blessed with 60 happy years together. During this time, he worked in the life insurance business and with Owen Corning Fiberglass Co in Anderson, South Carolina.
Returning to Jackson he began his life’s work in the medical supply field, first with McNeese Medical Supply, and then becoming Purchasing Director at the University Medical Center. In 1982 through the Med Center, he accepted a position as Purchasing Director at the King Khalid University Medical Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for 2.5 years. During this period, he and his family had many wonderful trips throughout the world. Upon his return to Jackson, he was a medical sales representative for Health Care Suppliers, and in 1998 he and his brother formed McNA+MED, Inc. which they operated until 2011.
Daniel always loved with pride his Catholic Faith, his family, all things Irish, and especially the game of tennis. For many years, he and Mary enjoyed all aspects of their membership in the River Hills Club, where he excelled on the courts, and cherished the many friendships made there, especially his Sunday afternoon games with the “Big Eight.” Through all his years, his wit and Irish charm served him well, was ever a gentleman who never knew a stranger, and was always a friend you liked and could count on.
At gatherings, Daniel loved to entertain with legendary recontour of family stories to the enjoyment of all in attendance.
His family always came first with Daniel, as he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Holidays in Atlanta with his daughter Marya and family, and summer vacations in Destin with them, were always the highlights of his years. After living outside Canton off the Natchez Trace in the wonderful home he and Mary built in the late ’70s, they moved back to Jackson 20 years ago. While in Canton they were faithful members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the last years at St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson.
Daniel lost his battle from cancer and he was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, John “Gabby” McNamara. He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Margaret Marya Mayer of Madison; grandchildren, Michael Andrew Mayer, James Patrick Mayer, and Ellen McNamara Mayer, all of Atlanta; sister, Ellen Kent Schifanella (Tom) of Jacksonville, Fl; brothers, his twin, David McNamara (Angie), Ridgeland and Douglas McNamara (Sandy) of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church. Due to the Covid pandemic, there will be no visitation. Masks and social distancing must be observed. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Richard Early Learning Center, P.O. Box 16547, Jackson, MS 39236 or The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Richard Church, same address, or a Charity of your choice.
