John Marshall McNair of Silver Spring, MD went home to the Lord on Saturday, February 6, 2021. He was born on May 20, 1952 in Washington, D.C. at the former Columbia Hospital for Women and was raised in a loving home in the Village of Chevy Chase, MD. John is the son of the late Frederick V. McNair, III and Parveen B. McNair of Annapolis, MD.
John's father Fred was a Maryland State Boy’s, Middle Atlantic Men’s, and seven time National Father-Son Champion with two sons, including John in 1970 and 1972 at the F-S Clay Court Championships. In 1972, John was ranked #2 nationally in the Father-Son behind his brother Frederick V. McNair, IV - the only time in USTA history a father was ranked both #1 and #2 in the same year with different sons. John’s lifelong love of tennis began at Columbia Country Club under the instruction of the famed Pro Buddy Goeltz, a multi-year National Champion. He also received valuable coaching from Pauline Betz Addie, a 5 time Major winner, at her summer camps held at Sidwell Friends School. John was honored to be a member of the legendary Varsity tennis program at Landon School in Bethesda, MD. Landon’s teams were led by beloved Coach Mac Jacoby, who coached Landon to 8 National Interscholastic Tennis Championships and whose former players include professional players Donald Dell, Dicky Dell and Fred McNair, IV, as well as many accomplished collegiate scholarship players. John and his best friend and classmate, Ken Daniels, were runner-up in the National Interscholastic Doubles in 1970 and 1971. John was Captain of their Landon team that won the team Championship in 1971. Consequently, he was awarded a full athletic scholarship to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he was coached by USTA Hall of Fame Coach Don Skakle. John”s Freshman record was a stellar 24-1 and culminated when he won the ACC #6 Singles Championships playing alongside #1 singles brother Fred. He avenged his only regular season defeat by beating the Virginia player in the ACC Final.
John was also an outstanding student at Landon, earning the Cum Laude honor both as a junior and senior. His keen intellect and competitive spirit are hallmarks of his academic achievements at Landon and UNC, where John had a 4.0 average as a Freshman. He continued his passion for reading and watching all types of sports, and loved to discuss the tactics and statistics of sporting competitions. John was a diehard Washington Redskins & Baltimore Orioles fan, and had many fond memories of attending games with his father, siblings, and friends. He was a devoted Sunday School student at St. John’s Episcopal Church whose love of Jesus grew through his life’s peaks and valleys. John loved the friends he made at Chevy Chase Elementary, Landon, UNC, Columbia Country Club, Edgemoor Club and all the other tennis venues where he practiced and competed valiantly. He exemplified the traits of an honorable student-athlete, loyal friend and teammate, and fun-loving spirit whose laugh energized everyone with optimism.
John is survived by his mother Parveen B. McNair of Annapolis, MD, brothers Frederick V. McNair, IV of Annapolis, MD, Bruce B. McNair(Leslie) of Naples, FL and Bethesda, MD, David D. McNair of Annapolis, MD, James J. McNair of Annapolis, MD, and a sister Lailee McNair Bakhtiar of Annapolis, MD and 11 nieces and nephews. Visitation is at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Monday, February 15 from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, February 16 from 11-12 p.m. followed by a celebration of life service in the Chapel 12-1 p.m. Burial is private at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD 21032. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Fund for Athletic Excellence, C/O USNA Foundation, 274 Wood Road, Naval Academy, MD 21402.
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