John Bertram McNamee

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved John Bertram McNamee, Ph.D. on April 6, 2026. John was born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, on February 20, 1953, the fourth child to Lt. Colonel John B McNamee Sr. and Lt. Helen McNamee nee Rapacz (Nurse Officer). As his parents were military, John spent his early years in Oahu, Hawaii (before it was a state), Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey and Hollywood, Florida. He attended high school in Hollywood, Florida where he graduated with honors, then went on the earn his Bachelor of Science in Economics, with high honors, from University of Florida. He completed his education with a Masters and Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin.

John was a true legend at Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL) for 36 years, having run multiple Mars Missions, the last of his career being project manager for the Mars 2020 Perseverance mission, which is now in the Jezero Crater. He also managed the Deep Space Network, Deep Impact and Dawn Missions. He served in a deputy role for Mars Exploration program, along with Mars Surveyor, Magellan and other missions. He was mission design manager for Mars Pathfinder, which delivered the first ever rover to Mars. He was awarded numerous NASA Exceptional Service awards and the highly covetable APM award, which recognizes the work of an individual in the field of project management, who has delivered something truly outstanding in their role, for Mars 2020 Perseverance Mission.

John was known for always wearing shorts and flip flops, never hard shoes. Regardless of the weather. He was a history buff and reader, especially WWII history and the history of aviation and space. He was a New York Yankees and New England Patriot fan from his years spent in New Jersey. He loved travel, sports radio, The Highwaymen and a dry martini.

John is survived by his wife Audrey McNamee, son Stevan McNamee, daughter Amanda McNamee, grandson Carter McNamee, brother Micheal McNamee, sister in law Virginia McNamee of Knoxville, Tennessee, brother Peter McNamee and sister in law Marge McNamee of Cottonwood, Arizona and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son Spc Matthew R McNamee, sisters Mary Bobber and Maureen Fiorelli.

Memorial services will be held at Forest Lawn, Glendale at 9:00 am, Monday, April 27th. In lieu of flowers please send donations in honor of Specialist Matthew R McNamee to Special Operations Warrior Foundation a 501© tax-exempt, National non-profit charitable foundation. www.specialops.org