Christopher John McNamara

John McNamara—a respected leader in Michigan public affairs, a loyal friend, son, brother and uncle, and a steadfast advocate for the people and industries he served—passed away on April 1, 2026, at the age of 40, following a courageous battle with cancer.

For more than two decades, John was an impactful voice in Lansing and at the Michigan Capitol—helping shape policy, strengthen industries, and champion people across the state he loved so deeply. He led with unquestionable integrity and character, and while his professional accomplishments were many, it was his generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to helping others that defined him most.

Born in March 1986, in the midst of college basketball season, John was the third of four red-headed boys raised by Colby, a violinist, and Joe, a communications executive at Hillsdale College. He grew up on Hillsdale’s campus before finishing high school at Lumen Christi in Jackson, where he developed a lifelong appreciation for close friendships and well-timed mischief in the rhythms of small-town life.

Family life was deeply rooted in love and tradition with summers spent tubing on Lake Baw Beese and winters skiing at Crystal Mountain, all punctuated by his mom’s famous Cincinnati chili and ranch oyster crackers.There were regular dinners at Yen King—where John’s standing order rarely wavered (Princess Beef, two egg rolls, and wonton soup)—along with hours spent watching Seinfeld and a lasting appreciation for The West Wing, which quietly foreshadowed the path he would one day follow. (Among his treasured possessions was a West Wing DVD box set signed by Bradley Whitford himself).

Even at a young age, John showed both an instinct for opportunity and a natural confidence in pursuing it. At 12, he proudly purchased stock in the Green Bay Packers public offering. He was a loyal friend and a generous brother, known for always making himself - and, more often than not, his car - available to anyone, though never without offering a musical education along the way, introducing others to U2, The White Stripes, The Killers, and Kanye West well before they became mainstream—or, in some cases, controversial.

John began his undergraduate studies at Hillsdale College before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Michigan State University. He later completed his MBA there in 2020 while working full-time, a reflection of his discipline and his drive to keep learning.

John’s career in Michigan government and politics spanned more than 20 years, during which he became widely regarded as both highly effective and deeply respected. He began as staff on U.S. Congressman Joe Schwarz's re-election campaign (2006), followed by an internship for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (2007). He later served as a legislative aide for State Representative Mark Ouimet (2010-11), State Senator Margaret O'Brien (2015), and State Senator Mike Webber (2015-17). He served as Deputy Director of Communications for the Senate Republicans from 2011 to 2014, eventually transitioning to a career in lobbying as Manager of State Government Relations for McLaren Health Care from 2017 to 2020.

It was in his role as Vice President of Government Affairs at the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association that John spent six influential years defining the next chapter of his career. Preternaturally driven to champion the hospitality industry and its people, he became one of its most trusted and effective advocates.

No chapter of his tenure at MRLA defined him more than his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurants across Michigan were forced to close their doors—often more than once. In one of the most challenging periods the industry has ever faced, John was a steady and respected presence in the Capitol for operators and employees who had nowhere else to turn.

He led efforts that secured $12 million in appropriations to launch the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan, a licensed school that has since recruited and certified thousands of industry professionals. He also helped deliver $45 million in emergency grants for hospitality employees who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In 2025, he played a central role in brokering a rare legislative compromise to retain a tip credit, leading a statewide education tour that brought together nearly 1,000 servers, operators, and elected officials. His work helped preserve thousands of restaurants and nearly 60,000 jobs across the state.

While John was consistently recognized as one of the most effective lobbyists in Lansing, what distinguished him most was the way he approached the work. He built enduring relationships across the aisle, treated every colleague with respect, and extended kindness even in moments of disagreement. He inspired those around him to work harder, think bigger, and reimagine what was possible. He was as humble as he was tireless, always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed one.

Outside of his professional life, John gave generously of his time, volunteering with Ele's Place, where he played an active role in events, fundraising, and the expansion of programs to Flint and Grand Rapids to support grieving children, teens and families.

In 2019, John adopted his dog, Cassius “Cash,” named after Michigan State point guard Cassius Winston. Cash, an underdog who had spent years in shelters, found in John a constant and devoted companion who matched that resilience with daily miles-long walks and an endless supply of green spiky balls. It was a relationship that reflected John’s instinct to look out for others and to quietly, consistently show up.

A devoted fan of Michigan State athletics, John also loved golf, good food, and a well-earned IPA. He was a familiar face at local favorites like Roadhouse Pub and Crunchy's, where his loyalty—and his mug—remain part of the fabric of those places. In 2020, he appeared in a promotional video for Crunchy’s, dressed in neon workout gear and dancing to Salt-N-Pepa’s Push It—later joking that “they needed someone to look like an idiot, and that was me,” a line that perfectly captured his humor and the easygoing spirit behind the nickname “Johnny Mac.”

John cherished his time with close friends. Together, they enjoyed countless tailgates before Michigan State home football games, travel to the Florida Keys and Big 10 tournaments, playing some of Michigan's and the nation's best golf courses, and other adventures. He was a talented cook and a gracious host who would welcome people into his home as the first stop on holiday progressive parties or simply to connect for time together.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Colby and Joe, and is survived by his brothers Paul (Liz), Kevin, and James (Marisa), his niece Harriett, and a wide network of friends, colleagues, and community members whose lives he touched in lasting ways.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 4th at the Michigan State University Horticultural Gardens (https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/our_gardens/), with family receiving visitors at 4:00 p.m. and the celebration commencing at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends may make a memorial donation to Ele’s Place by visiting their website at https://www.elesplace.org/ or by mailing a check to: Ele’s Place, 1145 W. Oakland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915.