Dignified and spirited to the very end, Tom Evans McNamara passed away February 6, 2023.
Visitation will be held at Tom’s home in Bosqueville, Texas, Thursday, February 9th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 10th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bosqueville Methodist Church, followed by burial at the Bosqueville Cemetery.
He was born October 6, 1923, to Addis and Mildred McNamara. He proudly grew up in Bosqueville, Texas, attending school there through the eighth grade, which was the highest level taught there at that time. He transferred to Waco High School and graduated in 1942. He married his high school sweetheart, Merle Meeks, in 1943. They were only married for a few days before he returned to service with the Army Air Corps as the United States was then actively engaged in World War II. Tom was stationed in Europe for over three years, working as an aerial engineer and crew chief.
After Tom was honorably discharged from the military in 1946, he returned to Bosqueville and began farming. He and Merle became parents to two sons, Tommy and Addis. Tom and Merle and their two sons shared time together in the Bosqueville Riding Club and in racing very fast go-karts in Waco, Temple, and Corsicana. Tom was always the chief mechanic. Family trips on Sunday to the races filled the family’s bookshelves with many trophies. During their sons’ junior high and high school years, all of the warm Sundays were spent at Lake Waco with the Woodard, Copeland, and Thomas families enjoying water skiing and family camaraderie.
Tom was very involved with his community, including serving on the school board. He co-signed the note that financed a new wing of classrooms for the Bosqueville school in the 1950s. After farming for a number of years, he entered into business in Temple, Texas, with his nephews, Joe McNamara and John McNamara. They owned Viaduct Wrecking from 1958 until the time that Tom retired in 1990. In the years after his retirement, Tom managed his rental properties and was active in farming operations. He spent much of his time telling stories about his life and experiences to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He lived his life well, often enjoying a rich piece of chocolate pie and a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember that he always had candy to generously share with them. He spoke with a laugh and a twinkle in his Irish blue eyes about his adventurous life. He served as an example of loyalty and commitment to all who knew him.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Merle Meeks McNamara.
He is survived by his children, Tommy McNamara and wife, LaMarr, and Addis McNamara and his wife, Joy; grandchildren, Ashlee Krienke and her husband, Brian; Mark McNamara; Hayley Trisler and her husband, Wes; David McNamara and his wife, Heather; Jonathan McNamara and his wife, Autumn; Shannon McNamara and her husband, Mohamed Leghuel; and Caitlin McNamara. He was blessed also by many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. The family thanks Robin Jacobs and Carol Rhodes for assisting Tom, which allowed him to remain in his own home as he had wished.
Pallbearers will be Mark McNamara, Ellis McNamara, Tom McNamara, David McNamara, Brody McNamara, Brian Krienke, Noah Krienke, Wes Trisler, Zane Trisler, Jaeden McNamara, Michael Huston, and Pilar “Pierre” Torres.
Those who wish to honor Tom are encouraged to celebrate his life by recognizing the importance of family and a strong community, both of which he greatly cherished.
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Prayers
TO THE McNamara family I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOST OF YOUR FATHER. I will keep the Family
in my thoughts and prayers, as they moved forward without the loss of their loved one. However I WIIL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE SERVICE. BUT KNOW THAT MY PRAYERS WILL BE WITH THE FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFCULT TIME IN THERE LIVES. BY HIS GRACE, Perry Dunlap
My deepest sympathy, may you get through this difficult time, through prayers and comfort friends.
Dear McNamara Families,
It was with deep regret that I learned of the death of your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Tom. I know that words won’t fill the void left in your lives, however, I hope that you will find comfort in the love and sympathy of your many friends.
May I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences. From my family to yours, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
With Warmest Regards,
Russell, Amy, Taylor, and Stephen Devorsky
Tommy & Addis, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your parents were two of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. They were so kind to me during the hardest days of my life, I am so grateful for that.
Mary Ann
Sending our love and prayers. Praying your find peace and comfort in the cherished memories of your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
❤ The Clements Family
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Our deepest condolences to your family. Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I enjoyed reading about his life and family. What a wonderful man…
Rest In Peace Tom McNamara. Tom was a friend and customer of my late husband Jesse White, at Transmission Exchange. Jesse thought the world of your mom and dad. He remarked many times of the stories he told and said how sharp Tom was. I know he will be be missed by countless folks. Heaven has a grand reunion going on with those gone before.
Addis & the entire McNamara family – my family and I are so very sorry for your loss! Tom was such an amazing man that I loved talking to especially on his birthdays. He would always talk about his experiences and his darling wife!!! Even though a unique situation brought us together we remained friends and I am so glad to know this very sweet man!!! My heart and prayers are with y’all during this time and the coming days ahead!
Our family is sending our condolences and prayers! What a special person to this community.
Dear McNamara Families,
It was with deep regret that I learned of the death of your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Tom. I know that words won’t fill the void left in your lives, however, I hope that you will find comfort in the love and sympathy of Tom’s many friends. As you know my dad and he were classmates at Bosqueville through Waco High, when they both enlisted for WWII immediately after graduation. Our families have been friends for generations since. I last spoke with him in January and he was still as sharp and insightful as ever on that call, but admitted to getting “a little bit tired”. I wish I had called more often, he always lifted my spirits when I did. Now he can be reunited with his beloved “Mutt” at last. May I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences. From my family to yours, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
With Warmest Regards,
The Overby familes
I remember Tom so well, and Merle, too, from the years we went to Bosqueville Methodist Church together. They sat on the pew right behind my husband Mark and me, and we had some good conversations. They even helped us out in various ways at times. It is sad to know that he is gone now, but he lived a good, long life on this earth. Prayers for your whole family.
I love that Tom’s obituary said he could be honored by honoring and community and family. There’s nothing that describes him any better than that. We don’t make them like that anymore. Tom actually came to see my crazy midlife crisis cabin in Colorado with Allie Mae and Betsy. He had a ball with us— many fun tales of that trip. He was a truly honorable man and a deeply good person. I will miss him. I only hope that young people can meet someone like him and learn from a good upstanding character like Tom.
I love that Tom’s obituary said he could be honored by honoring community and family. There’s nothing that describes him any better than that. We don’t make them like that anymore. Tom actually came to see my crazy midlife crisis cabin in Colorado with Allie Mae and Betsy. He had a ball with us— many fun tales of that trip. He was a truly honorable man and a deeply good person. I will miss him. I only hope that young people can meet someone like him and learn from a good upstanding character like Tom.