Gary Marshall McNamee

Gary Marshall McNamee

November 11, 1945 – August 10, 2025

Gary McNamee, 79, of Granbury, Texas, finished his well-lived journey here on earth and was joyfully reunited with the love of his life, Noel, on August 10, 2025.

Born on November 11, 1945, in Waco, to LV and Marguerite McNamee, Gary seemed destined to notice life's details-something he carried with him from his early days at Richfield High School to his years at Baylor University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry. Shortly after graduating, Gary courageously served our country as a member of the US Army in Vietnam. Upon his return home, his curiosity and love of learning led him to Indiana University in Bloomington, where he earned his doctorate in chemistry and met a smart, compassionate, and chatty nursing student named Noel Moffett. She would later become his wife on October 9, 1976, and his partner in every adventure until her passing in 2022.

Together, Gary and Noel raised three children-Amanda, Douglas, and Rachel-instilling in them faith, a sense of wonder, resilience, and kindness. On weekends, while Noel worked at the hospital, Gary could be found with the kids at the mouth of the Brazos River, turning simple days into treasured memories.

Gary was devoted to the Lord and his church, most recently Anchor Fellowship in Granbury. He loved the music as much as-if not more than-the sermons, and he regularly shared links to his favorite songs from Sunday services with his family.

For 35 years, Gary worked as a patent researcher for Dow Chemical, applying the same meticulous care he brought to everything in his life. He also worked most recently, after retiring, for TPR out of California. Outside of work, his interests reflected the breadth of his curious mind: collecting stamps, dissecting sports strategies, tracking hurricanes, planting fruit trees, and tending to the dogs Noel and he adored.

But Gary's greatest joy was his family. His seven grandchildren were his pride and delight. He loved hearing about their adventures, cheering them on, and offering bits of wisdom when needed.

Gary is survived by his children and grandchildren: Brady, Amanda, Grant, Reed, and Luke Rogers; Douglas, Lacy, Josephine, and Marguerite McNamee; and Jason, Rachel, Cora, and Olivia Erwin. He is also survived by his devoted sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and David Tomaja; his nephew, John Konopnicki; his nieces, Sarah Smith and Amy Carrell; and their families.

His life was a quiet example of devotion-to his faith, his work, his family, his wife, and to the small but beautiful rituals of daily living. While we mourn the second empty chair at the table, we celebrate the extraordinary gift of having been loved by him. We imagine him now, hand in hand with Noel, enjoying their favorite meal together-finally home- forever.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held at 10:00a.m. on Saturday, August 16 at Granbury Church of Christ in Granbury, TX with visitation and breakfast at 9:00 am. A family burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco.

Services in the care of Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury, Texas.