irst job in the oil industry with Shell Oil. While others would quit after a couple of weeks due to the physical nature of the job, he stayed and was soon asked to drive a semi making deliveries all over Iowa and parts of Illinois. By 1960 Gene and his wife Alma bought a Gas Station from the Bervids and eventually established McNamara Oil. For 40+ years he worked alongside his son Tom, eventually retiring in the 90's. During those years he was fortunate to have associations with Shell, Getty, Skelly, and Texaco Oil. He finished his career in the oil industry under the Big Red Star. A member of St. Patrick's and St. Jude's, Gene was a deeply faithful man. He especially enjoyed golf, the Hawkeyes, fishing, hunting, and travelling. He loved his family and provided wonderful experiences for them growing up. Together, Gene and Alma encouraged their children to follow their own paths and to raise exceptional grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alma; children, Julie (Gary) Mann of Lebanon, Tennessee, Jan (Jeff) Smith, and Susan (Tom) Krejci, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Carol McNamara of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, Erin, Craig, Sara, Jessica, Matt, Alison, Mike, Audrey, and Sally; great-grandchildren, Ian, Olivia, Devon, Gracie, Julia, Colton, Madison, Seamus, John Paul, Hannah, Austin, Trent, Dylan, Norah, Chloe, Ella, Karrington, Jay, Anna, Caila, Larry, and Wyatt; great-great-grandchildren, Grayson, Saylor, Cooper, and Avery; sister, Theresa Eden of Atlanta, Georgia; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas; grandson, Joe; brothers, Leo and Joseph; and sisters, Mary, Margaret, and Carol. Memorials may be directed to the Disabled Veterans of America, or the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.stewartbaxter.com/obituaries/Gene-McNamara?obId=3152254#/celebrationWall