Mr. John Marvin McNamara's Obituary
John Marvin McNamara passed away peacefully on January 14, 2023, at the age of 90. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late William Marvin McNamara and Pearl Melvin McNamara. He is survived by his children, Sharon McNamara-Horne (William), David McNamara (Sandy), Richard McNamara (Felipe). John was the proud grandfather of Jeff Bentivegna (Ashlee), Chris Bentivegna, Lynn Burton (Neal), Will Horne (Laura), Thomas Horne (Rachel), Aaron McNamara (Janie), Greg McNamara (Alexis), Laura Macias (James), Ryan McNamara (Rachel), Kylie McNamara and Andrew McNamara. He had 15 great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by Juanita Schultz McNamara, his loving wife of 67 years.
Known to his friends as “Jack”, McNamara graduated from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans. He attended Louisiana State University and was a member of the LSU band before transferring to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, where he was a band member, drum major, and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. He later obtained a master’s degree plus 30 in education from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.
Jack began playing the trumpet as a child and always knew he wanted to be a band director. He was a school band director in Houma, Eunice and Church Point, Louisiana. Throughout his 35 years in the classroom, he taught music and mentored thousands of students from elementary through high school. Known as “Mr. Mac” in the classroom, he was always the teacher trying to push his students to achieve more than they thought possible. He cherished the moments when they realized they had succeeded. Jack was also a longtime member and conductor of his churches’ choirs, a youth leader, a fund-raiser and a promoter of the performing arts in Terrebonne Parish.
After retiring as a teacher, Jack had a passion for gardening, researching his Irish ancestry, and writing a book that encapsulated his lifelong interest in music theory and education. He loved to travel, a passion he shared with his wife Juanita as they visited much of North America, Europe and several South Pacific countries. He lived in Japan while serving in the U.S. Army.
At age 90, he was still entertaining his neighbors and friends at his senior residents’ home playing his cornet at pre-Saints game lunches. He never lost his love of music and the joy of sharing that passion with others.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Service at First United Methodist Church, 203 N Jefferson Ave, Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00 AM until service time. Interment will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery, 1005 Western Ave, Hammond, LA 70401. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com
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