Bernard James “Jim” McNamara

Bernard James “Jim” McNamara

Mesa, Ariz.

Bernard James “Jim” McNamara, 81, most recently of Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Center Point, Iowa.

A visitation will be held from 3 to

7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Monti Community Center, 2854 Washington Ave., Coggon, Iowa. Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at St. Patrick’s Church-Monti, 2856 Washington Ave., Coggon, Iowa. He will be interred at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Monti, Iowa, the place he called home, no matter where he lived. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Center Point is assisting the family.

Jim was born on March 13, 1941, to Bernard A. and Mary Madeline (Cooney) McNamara. A 1959 graduate of East Buchanan High School, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, serving until July of 1967. When not serving his country, he farmed with his father near Monti, Iowa.

Jim married Shirley Jean (Ellis) McNamara on Jan. 24, 1970, in Monti. They were blessed with three children, and in 1974 they moved from Monti to Cedar Rapids, where he became a real estate broker, specializing in the farm ground he knew and loved. Jim and Shirley eventually moved their family to Ryan, Iowa, where Jim was known as “Mac” to some, “Cotton” to others and a friend to all.

Jim had an extremely strong faith and was very active in the Roman Catholic Church. He was so proud to be a servant of God as a Lay Distributor and a loyal attendee of Mass.

Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shirley McNamara; three children, Nicole “Niki” (Darrell) McElligott of Center Point, Teresa “Tess” Dea of Center Point and Linae (Jeff) Smith of Gilbert, Ariz.; a sister, Mary Rita Jones Greiner of Naples, Fla.; a brother, Joe (Lois) McNamara of Ryan; sisters-in-law, Peg McNamara (Don) of Ryan and JoAnn (Brian) Reimer of Des Moines, Iowa; and brothers-in-law, Jim (Linda) Ellis and Don Ellis. He leaves behind four beloved grandchildren, Dylan Silver, Reegan (Ken) Appleby, Brennan Silver and Tinley Dea; two adored great-grandchildren, Norah and Charlie Silver; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and other friends and family members, whom he thoroughly enjoyed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Elton and Erma (Tracy) Ellis; his brother, Don; and his brothers-in-law, Dick Jones and Ken “Red” Greiner.

Please share a memory of Jim at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.