Date of Birth:
Tuesday, January 15, 1929
Date of Death:
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Age:
93 years old

James Thomas McNary

James Thomas McNary, 93, longtime Rochester civic leader and Mayo Clinic administrator, passed away on November 22, 2022 in his home at Lexington Pointe in Eagan, MN.  He is preceded in death by Norma (Orth) his beloved wife of 69 years, and his great-grandson Finnegan Deane.  He is survived by his seven children: William and Susan (Malay) McNary (Amherst, NH), Ann and John Mike  (New Richmond, WI), Sheila and Tom Hayes (Excelsior, MN), Catherine and Ted Pletta (West Concord, MN), Patricia and Jay Vavra (Apple Valley, MN), Margaret and Tom Corley (St. Petersburg, FL), James P and Tiffany (Bennett) McNary (Atlanta, GA) his 24 grandchildren: Molly, Kathleen, Margaret, Jessey,  Sarah, Brian, Katie, Patrick, Ryan, Carley, Hilary, Dan, Ben, Andrew, Jenny, Eric, Deirdre, Patrick, Brendan, James, Will, Grace, Charlotte, Jack; and 20 adorable great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday November 29, 2022 at 9:30am in the foyer at Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am officiated by Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon.  Private interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rochester.

Mr. McNary was born January 15, 1929 in Aberdeen, SD to James William and Edna May Luchsinger McNary. Jim grew up in St. Paul, MN where he graduated from Cretin High School.  In 1951, he received his B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952-53 as Base Motor Transport Officer at Camp Lejeune, NC.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.  From 1954 to 1961, he was General Manager at the McNary Farm Management Co. which applied scientific farming methods and best business practices to the management of over 400 farms across six Midwest states.

He began his 31-year career of service to Mayo patients and staff in 1961 as the head of purchasing and related services. He was recognized by his staff colleagues for his proficient leadership as Chairman of the Department of Administrative Services, his mentoring of a generation of younger administrators, and his introduction of modern business methods to the growing medical practice. Mr. McNary was Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hospital and a Member of the Board of the Rochester Airport Company.

He also served the Rochester community as  2^nd Ward Alderman on City Council for 3 terms, as Chairman of the Fire Civil Service Commission, and as Chairman of the Rochester-Olmsted County Council of Governments.  He was recognized as a strong advocate for green space, and for the planting and care of trees on Rochester streets and boulevards.  As Fire Commissioner, he sponsored and campaigned in favor of referenda to create three new fire stations.  An Eagle Scout himself, he continued his scouting activity as Gamehaven Council Foundation President, Troop 27 Committee Chairman, and as a merit badge counselor.  He was honored for his service to youth  development with the BSA Silver Beaver award.  He was a member of Rotary and the St. John’s parish council, and served on the Boards of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way. Following retirement, Jim continued his dedication to Mayo with over 20 years of volunteer service. He was a devoted husband, father and papa and all around good guy, loved by all.

Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research or the Gamehaven Council Foundation.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com