Birth date: Jul 22, 1962 Death date: Apr 24, 2016
John P. McNamara 53, of Decatur, passed away on Sunday April 24, 2016, in his residence. John was born July 22, 1962, in Decatur, IL, the son of Daniel and Lois (Mattingly) McNamara . He worked as a truck driver for many years. He Read Obituary
Lit a candle in memory of John P. McNamara
They call me Cheese I was privileged to share the cab of a semi for hundreds of thousands of miles with John. We worked together for Jerry Clifton moving people cross-country. Not just us ; there were Joe, Bobby, Greg, Tommy, Earl, Jason, Jimmy, and Matt, just to name a few. We listened to books and told each other our life story throughout those dark and monotonous all night rides across the country. We must have sweat a full fifty gallon drum together carrying furniture and boxes under the summer sun. Me going nuts and John at his steady pace. In Colorado, we took the tractor up to Cripple Creek and did a little gambling where the gold miners had done it a hundred years before. On the way back down, we saw snow in July in the Rockies. There were three for sure questions I would hear every day. "Where we eating breakfast, Where we eating lunch, Where we eating supper? Most of the time it was asked during the previous meal! One day, we found a Chinese restaurant with a parking lot big enough to accommodate the truck. As we sat eating all the shrimp we could hold, John asked," What is that yellow stuff?" I told him it was Chinese mustard and it was really hot! With that stubborn look I came to know so well, he swabed the shrimp through it and popped it in his mouth and began chewing. After about three seconds,his face started to get red, then his eyes started to water profusely. Still he calmly chewed on, his poker face still intact, then swallowed. After a little bit, he hoarsly said," That stuff is HOT!". Whereupon he promptly put more on another shrimp and ate it. I never saw him scared of anything. John loved the USA. He also loved the "Duke" and western movies. Yet, invariably, at some point during a twenty-four hour period , the"King", would come up. Yes, we are talking about Elvis. John would always state," Elvis is not really dead". Every time we headed south, especially toward Memphis, it would be,"We might just see the "King". I always laughed as I joined in John's dry humor. Then, one night at a truck stop in Ohio, it actually happened! John spotted him first. "The King", he announced. Sure enough, seated across the room; guitar case by his side, Sat an older version of the King of Rock and Roll. He looked thinner, more lined, with streaks of grey in his hair but the same combed back style. The resemblance was uncanny. The King was alone and as he got up to pay his bill, we got up and followed. John walked right up and addressed him as "The King". It turned out his first name really was Elvis. "I told you he wasn't dead!, John stated as we crawled up in the tractor. Did I mention stubborn, yet? I was never embarrassed by John and never ashamed to introduce him to anyone. I would say his name was John McNamara. With his eyes twinkling and that little half smile, he would step forward, stick out his hand, and say,"They call me Cheese." To put it in a nutshell, let me quote Tom Selleck in one of his western roles." I rode with John McNamara, and I got no regrets." The world is a lesser place without you, John. With my utmost respect, Bill Garrett. ( Wild Man )
I love you
I have been sitting looking at a blank screen wondering where to even begin.. How to describe the love for this family..not just the ones here in decatur but Wisconsin.. I watched the family grow thru facebook and I love all the pictures..John was the first person I turned to when I quit the hospital LOL and the whole family just accepted me as one of their own… I wish I wouldn't have let life get so busy that I stopped going there every day.. John will be dearly missed and thank you for accepting us
Ty
He loved you bill.as we all do…
He was sure happy to show you what he knew he enjoyed it so much doing what he loved to do..
Nice
Your the man that helped me get into deer hunting showed me everything I know helped me when I needed it. I will always remember deer camp and your laughter. I will never forget you my friend what happens at deer camp stays at deer camp.
Cheese, your the man. You made me a better man for your baby sister. I can't count how many times you "checked" me and straightened me out to make me better. It has been 21 years since I have been in your life, and I definitely will see you again. Love you bro! Go Cubs Go! See you again for sure!
