David Fred McNamar

DAVID FRED MCNAMAR

David Fred McNamar was born March 26, 1940, in Terre Haute, Indiana, and he died August 17, 2026, at the age of 86. He is the son of Fred L. McNamar and Frances Sachs McNamar of Terre Haute. David attended Davis Park Elementary School where his mother taught him in the third grade (still humorous to many of his former classmates), and he graduated from Terre Haute Wiley High School. From there, he attended Purdue University where he met his future wife, Ann Brewer, his sophomore year. He graduated from Purdue in January, 1962 with a degree in Industrial Economics. He then immediately reported to the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School ("OCS") in Newport, RI. David graduated from OCS and was commissioned an Ensign USNR before reporting aboard his assigned ship, the USS WINSTON (AKA 94) in San Diego, CA July 1st. He and Ann were married on June 22, 1963 in Fort Wayne, IN (Ann's hometown) following his return from his ship's duty in the Western Pacific.

David spent 3 ½ years on active duty with the Navy. His second tour of duty was with the U.S. Naval Communications Station in Newport, RI where he served as a courier. The Navy later moved he and Ann to Boston, MA, where their first son Richard was born. Following David's release from active duty in June, 1965, the family moved to Bloomington, IN where he attended and graduated from the IU School of Law in January, 1968. David remained active with the U.S. Naval Reserves from his time in law school until he ultimately retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain, Judge Advocate General Corps (O-6).

After law school graduation, the family moved to Indianapolis where they had two more sons, Eric and Greg. David practiced law for the next 55 years, retiring in August, 2023. He handled cases in state and federal court along with several administrative agencies. He argued multiple times before the Indiana Court of Appeals, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. David also served for several years as a Special Judge, a Judge Pro Tempore, and as a Master Commissioner in the Marion County Criminal-Felony Courts.

Despite maintaining a busy law practice, he also was very involved in the community. He served on the Boards of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, the Marion County Public Defenders Association, and the Tarkington Civic Theater. David also was active with the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Health Lawyers Association. He was a Master Mason (Terre Haute Lodge #19) and a member of the Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite and the Murat Shrine for over 50 years.

Additionally, David served as a Ward Chairman in the Republican Party, and he remained active in Republican politics for years thereafter. He also served as a Deacon and Elder of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Speedway, IN on two occasions, and he and Ann later attended Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN. David most recently joined St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Carmel, IN.

Both David and Ann were avid golfers and members at various clubs over the years including Crooked Stick, The Country Club of Indianapolis (where he served two terms as President), the Golf Club of Indiana, Twin Lakes, Sea Pines Club and Long Cove Club. He leaves behind many close friends from each.

He and Ann were also passionate Purdue and Indianapolis Colts fans, and both were avid bridge players, maintaining a decades-long game with their close friends from Chapel Glen on the west side of Indy. The family also can’t forget his childhood friends from Terre Haute.

David is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law: Richard (Wendy), Eric (Julie), and Gregory (Virginie). He and Ann also were the proud grandparents of six grandchildren: Delaney (Laney), Jones, Margaret (Meg), Nahia, Sean, and Tyler.

The family will hold a private service before he is interred next to Ann at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park North. A Celebration of Life will be held at Twin Lakes Golf Club (3200 W. 96th Street, Carmel, IN 46032) on October 4, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any of the following organizations:

Cure Syngap1: https://curesyngap1.org

The Mitch Daniels School of Business through the Purdue University Foundation https://business.purdue.edu/giving/

The Ronald McDonald House (Indianapolis) https://www.rmhccin.org/

The Indiana Golf Foundation (Indianapolis) https://indianagolf.org/donate/

The Marion County Public Library Foundation https://indyplfoundation.org/give