Hank McNamara

Hank was born May 20th, 1934, in Austin, Texas to his parents Francis Leo Sr. and Ruth Ratliff McNamara. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia "Biggie" Threadgill Cobb McNamara.

Hank lived an active, abundant life, which included numerous friends, colleagues, children and grandchildren.

Hank's four children with Mary Mills McNamara (deceased), formerly of Austin, are:

Francis Leo "Dub" McNamara III, wife Sharon McMullen McNamara and daughter Lauren Michelle McNamara; Mary Victoria McNamara Clifford and daughter Kelly McNamara Clifford; Willard Mills McNamara, wife Amy Min Sun McNamara and son Liam Min McNamara; James Johnson McNamara (deceased) and wife Kimberly Story McNamara.

Hank's daughter with Elizabeth Boudreau McKeown McNamara (deceased), formerly of Austin, is Claire Elizabeth McNamara Boyd. Claire's children are Christopher and Scarlett Boyd.

He also acted as a loving father for many years to Elizabeth's children Mark McKeown and wife Teresa McKeown and children Sean and Mark McKeown; Mayo McKeown and wife Lori McKeown and daughter Jessica McKeown; Chris McKeown and wife Ellen McKeown and children Russell and Sarah McKeown; Carolyn McKeown Bargsley and husband Bryan Bargsley and children Chase and his wife Jennifer and James Bargsley; and Matthew McKeown and wife Sue McKeown and son Scotty McKeown.

Hank met his wife Patricia "Tricia" in 1991, and they shared many happy years together, along with Tricia's children and grandchildren. They are: Kendall Cobb Courtney, husband David Courtney and daughter Sarah Courtney; Courtney Cobb Langford, husband Keith Langford and son Huck Langford; and Susanna Cobb Butler, husband Marty Butler and children Clark and Sally Butler. To them, Tricia and Hank will always be lovingly known as "Biggie" and "Big Daddy."

Hank is predeceased by his beloved sister Ruth ("Bushie") Ratliff McNamara Sprague of Austin. Hank also was very fond of his sister's children Mark and Mike Chambers and David and Charlotte Sprague.

Hank attended Austin public schools and was a proud graduate of Austin High School Class of 1952. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, men's choir and the U.S. Naval reserve officer's training corps.

Hank also was a proud veteran, and often said the years he served as an officer in The United States Navy, from 1956-1958, were among the best in his life. He was a military history buff and would often ask with that special twinkle in his eye, as he was watching another movie or documentary about World War II, "I wonder if the Japanese will win this time?"

Hank was a gifted salesman and entrepreneur and enjoyed a long, successful career as a Certified Financial Planner with Investors Diversified Services. As a young man, Hank worked for his father's Dr. Pepper bottling franchise in Austin. Later, during the 1960's, he opened a chain of convenience stores in Topeka, Kansas. And for several years before retirement, he ran his own financial planning and investment firm with partner John Henry McDonald of Austin.

Hank was the patriarch of an even larger family who must remain anonymous. He was critical in the formation and growth of a number of Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the Austin area. And for 30 years, he mentored many dozens of AA members, and touched the lives of thousands more. Hank was a pioneer in this area, too, working with local researchers on discovering the sources of addiction, and helping to change public perception of it. This was his greatest passion in life.

Hank was raised on Rio Grande Street within earshot of the UT Tower and that is how he learned to tell time. So, it is no wonder that 77 years later Hank would still be a rabid UT Baseball Fan Extraordinaire.

Hank's spirit also was unusual in that he had a number of life-long friends, and the unique ability to draw even unsuspecting bystanders into his joyful, optimistic world. He will be missed by so many.

A Celebration Service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday August 20th, 2011 in the Riverbend Church Home for Hope (4214 Capital of Texas Highway North) with a reception immediately following in the Riverbend Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Austin Recovery's Family House (an innovative program which allows women to bring up to two children under the age of six into residential drug and alcohol treatment with them). Mail donations to: Austin Recovery Center, 8402 Crosspark Dr., Austin, Texas 78754 Attn: Christina.