John R. McNamara, Jr., 87, of Waco, passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco.
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 18, at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, at Lake Shore Funeral Home with Senior Pastor Dr. John W. Collier and Pastor Joey Crenshaw of Parkview Baptist Church co-officiating
Burial: Bosqueville Cemetery
CLICK HERE to view the Live Stream of the service.
John was born, November 16, 1933, to John and Rita McNamara of Bosqueville. He graduated from Waco Tech in 1951. In 1955, John was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the 44th Engineering Battalion as a heavy equipment operator in Korea. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1957, earning an Army Good Conduct Medal and an Army Commendation Medal, for the recovering of 22 bodies and 2 aircraft engines from a downed C-124 Globemaster aircraft in the Han River during the winter and spring of 1957.
He met the love of his life, Carrol Warren, just after returning from Korea. They married on July 11, 1959 in Waco and lived in Temple, where John owned and operated Viaduct Wrecking Co. For over 30 years.
After retiring, he moved back to Waco and built a house on land that was purchased by his grandfather over 80 years prior, and began woodworking and building furniture. He was also the caretaker of the Bosqueville Cemetery for 27 years.
John put his trust in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 12, 1991, at Parkview Baptist Church, where he later was ordained as a deacon on November 19, 1995, and served as a member of the deacon body for over 25 years. He has a heart for the lost and would share his testimony to anyone that would listen. He loved everyone, and all that met him, loved him. Later in life, John would make small wooden crosses and would give them away as gifts.
John was very active in his church and in the Men’s Ministry. He loved to tell stories of years gone by, and had a nickname for almost everyone he met, including his brothers, children, and grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Rita McNamara; and brother, Paul T. McNamara.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Carrol McNamara; son, John McNamara III and wife, Edwyna of Kerrville; daughter, Sherri Harrison and husband, William of Temple; brothers, Joe McNamara of Belton, Pat McNamara and wife, Jean, Gene McNamara and wife, Patricia and Glenn McNamara and wife, Petra all of Waco; grandchildren, John McNamara IV and wife, Caitlyn of Houston, Ryan Harrison and wife, Ashley of Ft. Worth, Jared McNamara and wife, Candice of Bryan, Tyler Harrison of Temple and Jacob McNamara and wife, Brooke of Bronte; great-grandchildren, John McNamara V, Ethan McNamara, Ronan McNamara, Pearce McNamara and Carly McNamara; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous loved ones.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Adams, Scott Walton, Rick Crocker, Jason McNamara, Tim Ramsberger, Josh Hayes, Daniel Gaddy and Lucian Clark.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made to Parkview Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Great man he will be missed by all ! RIP Brother till we meet again
Love you, Bro John. Rest in peace.
John. You were always nice to me when ever you and Carrol came into Rosa Cafe. We always talk about Freddie. You always had a smile
We will miss Uncle John so much. Bosqueville games won’t be the same without his smile, humor and love. Praying for Aunt Carol and the rest of the family. May God bless you with many wonderful memories. He’s in Heaven taking care of things. ❤️🙏
I am so sorry to learn of John’ s passing. I have such great memories of him. His smile & humor and his story telling will always be remembered. God bless your family during this difficult time. Sending prayers and hugs to Carol.
PARADISE
There is a Home for you in Heaven.
Where the streets are made of shining gold.
Won’t you come to Jesus and let the Master save your Soul.
Come and meet your Savior.
He has Mansions in the sky.
Be happy at Home with Jesus in the “Sweet By and By.”
Just think, no pain or sickness nor crying ever heard.
Our Home in Heaven will be the very best.
Receive salvation from Jesus and be among the blessed.
Jesus paid our sin price with one payment made in full.
His precious blood for all He shed.
It’s so wonderful to be alive in Jesus and not among the walking dead.
Thank you Jesus for coming when no one else would do.
We’ll give You all the power and glory as we look upon your Face.
Thank you Lord for your mercy. Thank you for your grace.
A Home one day in Heaven with the Creator of the Universe.
Happy with Jesus where there’s no such thing as time.
Can’t you hear the Master calling everyone to come and Dine?
Raymond Carey
He was such a sweet , loving & kind soul . Praying comfort for all the family . Hugs and love to y’all .
Belinda Benton
Carrol and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Bro. McNamara’s passing. He was was such a good, kind man. I will always remember the kindness you both showed our family. Praying for peace and comfort for you.
Rebecca Spencer and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with the McNamara family during this time of great loss of your loved one. May God surround each of you with his comfort and peace.
To Carrol and Family: Your husband ( and your dad) was loved by everyone. I don’ t think he ever met a stranger. Was always happy and friendly. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.
Great friend and uncle ( not by blood ) will be greatly missed. Many memories at their house lake and more.Jus thank you for the man you are ,the lord gain a true trooper and more .
To all of John’s family…..We are saddened to hear of John’s passing, and are sorry for your loss. We extend our love and heartfelt sympathy to each of you. John was a good man, and will be missed by many. We feel blessed to have known him and to have had him as our friend. God bless you today and always.
RIP John. My condolences to all the family and friends.
John. You were always nice to me when ever you and Carrol came into Rosa Cafe. We always talk about Freddie. You always had a smile
Dear McNamara Family,
The Baylor Scott & White Hospice team would like to extend to you our deepest sympathy. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Carol, I am thinking of you and family. I will always remember his smile and how nice he was. His love for Jesus was what he was all about. He will be missed.
John was always kind, friendly and level-headed, and these characteristics all continue in his family. Carol, you have always been so gracious and kind, and we share in your sorrow. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. John’s presence will always be with us.
So sorry to hear this Carol. Prayers and Hugs!!
Carroll, John was one of the sweetest, kindest men I’ve ever known. He was a constant at Parkview and what a testimony.
Our family loved to “wear him out” as he would say. I know how much his presence will be missed by so many that loved him, but what a homecoming he is having! You are loved and are being prayed for because even though we rejoice in heaven’s gain, we know the days ahead without him will have those difficult times. Love and hugs.
Thank you so much for streaming the funeral. It was an amazing celebration of his life. I loved all the stories. I am sad I could not be there, but I felt like I was. I will miss seeing Uncle John at all the games at Bosqueville that he and Carol always came to. I have watched them drive all over Central Texas for out of town sports and local sports to watch a kid play ball for over 20 years. Some of those kids were not even blood related, but Uncle John and Aunt Carol would travel and support them all over; my kids included. I will miss seeing his truck and trailer at the cemetery mowing and weeding on my way to school. He would get there at the break of dawn to get started. I have so many great memories. I am blessed to know such an amazing man. Uncle John you will be forever missed, but never forgotten.
So sorry to hear of your loss. He was such a sweet man. Matthew was crazy about both of you. Prayers for peace and comfort.
Sorry to hear, will keep family and friends in prayer.
John was one of my favorite people to talk to.
RIP John.
Dear McNamara family,
My folks (George and Frances Svatek) and I are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We have many memories of long ago days of both Sherri and I playing sports together and hearing his cheers and encouragement (along with Ms. Carrol) from the stands. I know he will be missed by many……but what the world has lost, heaven has gained.
Take care,
Pam
So sad to hear this, Mr McNamara made my day every time he came in to my work (Bar None Country Store) we would always kid around and tease each other. He was one of the sweetest customers and I will truly miss him. Prayers and love to all his family!