James McNamara Obituary

James "Mac" Edward McNamara CHARLESTON - James "Mac" Edward McNamara, 78, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Jacqueline McNamara, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his beloved family, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Mac was born on October 14, 1946 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of Charles Almon McNamara and Ruth Byrd McNamara and brother to Charles Almon McNamara II. He grew up in Hampton Park, where he made lifelong friends and enjoyed playing sports. Mac attended Rivers High School, where he became a high jumper and won a state championship in basketball. He attended Clemson University. A true American patriot, in 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Army alongside his brother and served in the Vietnam War as a Green Beret in the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), one of the most elite active duty U.S. Army Special Forces Groups. A combat engineer, specializing in demolitions, he returned home to Charleston a decorated hero in 1969. Over the years, Mac pursued many callings and enjoyed diverse adventures and endeavors, including serving as a merchant seaman, a shrimp boat captain, owning and operating McNamara's Bar on Market Street in the 1980s, and later the Zoo Pub Incorporated in Mount Pleasant. A born and bred Charlestonian, he loved his city and the waters that surrounded it. He was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: his Irish heritage, sports, good music and food. But mostly, he cherished sharing all these things with those he loved. Mac found companionship in his wife, Jackie, who was not only his wife, but also his best friend. She remembers how there was nothing he wouldn't do to help anyone who needed him; anything from offering a shoulder to cry on, to jumping up in the middle of a room and dancing around, just to make someone laugh! Always the life of the party and a gifted storyteller, he had many dear friends from every chapter of his life. He was a strong man, physically but, his inner strength made him who he was. He was loved and respected by so many people simply because they saw his goodness. That is his legacy. His greatest joy was being a father to his four children. He gave them a magical childhood on Sullivan's Island, where they learned to build bonfires for campouts on the beach and pick blackberries for cobblers from the sandy trails. He instilled in them a curiosity and appreciation for the beauty of nature around them, and a profound love and respect for the ocean, teaching them how to bodysurf in the big waves brought in by the container ships rolling into the Charleston harbor. He was a devoted and present father, planning cross-country road trips to visit national parks, coaching sports teams, chaperoning teenage girls to boy band concerts and facilitating Clemson game day tailgates. His delight for his children and later grandchildren was evident to all who knew him and will live on in their hearts forever. He was larger than life. Mac is survived by his three daughters, Erin (Brandon) Anderchuk, Kelsey (Jesse) Craig, Megan McNamara; son, Brendan McNamara; step-daughter, Kelly (Mikee) Rawlings; and his ten grandchildren; Leianna Anderchuk, Tyler Rose Anderchuk, Mac Anderchuk, Hazel Anderchuk, Sullivan Craig, Olivia Craig; Kyle Dixon, Caleb Dixon, Cooper Dixon, Clash Rawlings. A lifetime lover of the ocean, his family will honor his memory with a private ceremonial scattering of ashes at sea on Tuesday, October 14th. A Celebration of Life to follow at My Father's Moustache in Mt. Pleasant starting at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.