Frederick Louis McNair

Frederick Louis McNair, age 64, died March 13, 2010 in Mexico City. Born in Austin, Texas to Alex and Martha Kopecky McNair, Fred graduated St. Edward's High School ('63) and St. Edward's University ('67). He served two years active duty in the United States Marine Corps after graduation from SEU. Named Distinguished Alumnus of the University in 1978, he was a member of the SEU Andre Associates, the SEU Heritage Society, Alumni Chair of A Special Destiny capital campaign, past member Alumni Board of Directors, and its Executive Committee as Chair of the Alumni Programs Committee. A member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Austin, since its founding in 1952 and a graduate of St. Louis School, Fred received the 2002 Distinguished Graduate Award from the National Catholic Educational Association and St. Louis School.

Member of the Lector ministry since 1961, former Nursing Home Eucharistic Minister, elected to Pastoral Council and serving as its President 2000-2001, Fred was also co-director of the St. Louis Capital Campaign 1999-2000, chairman of the Architectural Steering Committee, chairman of the Building Committee and vice director of the Construction Committee. He was a former member/president of St. Louis Catholic School Board, one of the founders of St. Louis Catholic School Trust Fund and a former member of the Catholic Scouting Committee for the Diocese of Austin. Achieving the highest rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, (EOHSJ), (a worldwide Papal Chivalrous order for service to the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Land), Fred and his wife served as Diocesan Section Representatives on the Council of the Southwest Lieutenancy of EOHSJ. Archbishop Gregory Aymond awarded them an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict in 2006 for their service to the EOHSJ. Another Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict in 2008 was awarded from their pastor, Rev. Charles L. Covington and St. Louis Church for dedicated services to the Order and other Catholic organizations. Fred was a member of the Vocations Committee of USA Council of Serra International, which promotes religious vocations in the United States. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Serra International Foundation, which funds religious vocations worldwide, serving as Grants Committee Chair, President-Elect, President 2005-2007, Past-President 2007-2008, member of Serra International Board of Directors, and Vice-President 2007-2010. He was also a District Governor Serra International, District 125, for the Austin and Victoria Dioceses and the Archdiocese of San Antonio, President and board member - Serra Club of Austin and recipient of the Serran of the Year Award ('82-'83) for work with the youth of the Austin Diocese. He was member and Chairman of Serra Foundation of Austin. He was attending a Serra International Board meeting in Mexico City at his death.

A member of the Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men at St. Louis and on their diocesan board, Fred was devoted to learning and growing in faith with his fellow Catholic friends. This devotion to Church led him to a Sales/Sponsorship position with Relevant Radio (KIXL 970 in Austin) in 2006, a non-profit Catholic radio network. Bringing the Catholic faith to Central Texas via Relevant Radio was a true calling for Fred, whose Catholic connections helped build awareness, listeners and sponsors in the last four years. He was also an ardent supporter of Right to Life issues, through Texas Alliance for Life, and Heroic Media (formerly Majella Society) and was a supporter of North Central Caregivers since it’s formation.

Fred served three terms on Board of Directors of Better Business Bureau of Austin. Past member of BBB Advertising Review Board. Benefactor Member of both the National Rifle Association and Texas State Rifle Association. Life Member of each of the following: North American Hunting Club, Safari Club International, Izaak Walton League of America, The Second Amendment Foundation, The Law Enforcement Alliance of America, and The National Hunting Club of America (Free Hunters). Charter Member of Waterfowl USA, Quail Unlimited, and the Dove Sportsman‘s Society. Member of the following: Quail Forever, Wildlife Forever, Austin Woods & Waters Club and its Board of Directors, and the Lee County Wildlife Association. He also worked with Boy Scouts of America & Travis County 4-H Shooting Sports Team.

Fred was Past President of McNair's Appliance, Inc. (a local business started by his grandfather in 1939), McNair's Service, Inc., McNair's Coin Laundry Co., Inc, and was Managing Partner of McNair Enterprises Ltd. McNairs Appliance (now KIVA Kitchen & Bath) won the Quality Service Approval Award from the National Association of Retail Dealers of America (NARDA) for each of over 20 years. Fred received the International Broadcasting Award for radio advertising multi-commercial campaigns in 1985 and the NARDA Excellence in Promotion Award in 1990. He was a past member of the Austin Advertising Federation. In 1991, both HFD (Home Furnishings Daily) and Dealerscope magazines named McNairs in the top 100 appliance dealers in the nation. Fred retired from the businesses in 1999.

Beloved husband, devoted father and proud grandfather, Fred was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his father Alex McNair and Beverly McNair of Austin; his wife of almost 42 years Evelyn Coleman McNair; his children Alex McNair and wife Anna of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Adam McNair and wife Dawn of Lexington, TX, and Amy McNair of Austin. His seven grandchildren include Andrew, Anthony and Aaron McNair of Kenosha, WI and Justin, Cody, Tristan and Aubrey McNair of Lexington.

A visitation will be held at Cook-Walden (6100 North Lamar) from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Sunday, March 21, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, in Austin at 11:00am, Monday, March 22, 2010 with Rev. Charles L. Covington officiating. A reception will be held immediately after Mass in Wozniak Hall on the St. Louis campus. Burial will follow at Austin Memorial Park at 2800 Hancock Drive approximately two-thirty in the afternoon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations, reflecting Fred’s life-long interests and ministries:

-St. Louis Catholic Church or St. Louis School, 7601 Burnet Rd. Austin, 78757;

-St. Edward’s University, 3001 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704-6489;

-Serra International or Serra International Foundation, 70 East Lake St., Suite 1210, Chicago, Illinois 60601;

-Serra Club of Austin, PO Box 1212, Austin, TX 78767;

-Relevant Radio, 11615 Angus Rd, Suite 102, Austin, TX 78759