Gerald “Jerry” Patrick McNamara, 71, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial for family and friends will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, with Reverend David O’Connor officiating. Committal services will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All guests are respectfully requested to wear a facemask and practice social distancing. A livestream of the funeral mass is being provided by St. Joseph Catholic Church at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs-kh6y23Ew
at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.
Jerry was born on May 10, 1949, in Newton, Iowa, the son of Loras Emmit and Nadine Evelyn (DeLancey) McNamara. He was a 1968 graduate of Anamosa High School. On August 19, 1972, Jerry was united in marriage to Jean Ann Lindstrom at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Anamosa. To this union, three children were born, Tracy, Kyle, and Mathew. He worked for 30 years in the grocery warehouse for Nash Finch. Jerry went on to volunteer at the Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #5390, and Fourth Degree Assembly #3180. Jerry was a long time member of the Marion High School Athletic Booster Club, providing many years of service and volunteer work, especially as a volleyball line judge. He was inducted into the Marion High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jerry was an avid outdoorsman; he loved fishing, camping, and traveling with his family. He was a hardworking man, despite the significant challenges thrown his way during life; he always had a smile on his face. Jerry didn’t let his challenges stop him from living his life to the fullest. He was a loving, caring, faithful and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Always filled with Irish spirit, Jerry will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jerry is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Jean McNamara of Marion; three children, Tracy (Todd) Slaughter of Robins, Kyle McNamara of Marion, and Mathew McNamara of Marion; four grandchildren, Teegon and Tia Slaughter, and Emily and Austin McNamara; four siblings, Dave (Ruth) McNamara of West Des Moines, Dan McNamara of Anamosa, Linda Weiler of Anamosa, and Therese (Jim) Hartwig of Olin; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loras and Nadine McNamara; one brother, Tom McNamara; one nephew, Chad McNamara; and one niece, Shawna Kachel.
Memorials in Jerry’s memory may be made to: St. Joseph Catholic Church at 1790 14th Street in Marion, Iowa, 52302; or to the Knights of Columbus Joseph C. Carroll Council 5390 at 5650 Kacena Avenue in Marion, Iowa, 52302; or to the Community Health Free Clinic at 947 16th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401.