Stephen Russell McNamara passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026, at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, after a brave fight with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Born on March 12, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Charles A. McNamara, Jr., and Mary Louise Shade McNamara, Steve was raised in Tulsa, attending Marquette School and Cascia Hall, earning the Cascia Medal in 1972.

Steve inherited his lifelong love for the University of Notre Dame from his father and followed in his footsteps, earning an undergraduate degree at Notre Dame in 1976. He received a law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1979.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Kevin (Mahan) McNamara, on June 5, 1976. Together, they raised four children and proudly supported Catholic education at Monte Cassino, Bishop Kelley, and Cascia Hall. Steve and Mary Kevin proudly welcomed their nephew, Sean Mahan, and niece, Lisa (Mahan) Pilcher-Anglada, as their own after the loss of their parents, Mike and Angie Mahan.

After law school, Steve followed his grandfather, Raleigh S. Shade, and his uncle, Raleigh W. Shade, into Tulsa's oil and gas business community. Beginning his career as General Counsel at Reading & Bates, he routinely circumnavigated the globe negotiating drilling contracts in every major global basin, flying the Concord numerous times. In the late 1980s, his career shifted focus to more domestic oil and gas pursuits, joining the Sneed Lang Law firm and then establishing McNamara, Inbody & Parrish law firm, serving as a trusted legal advisor and skillful litigator to numerous clients, all of whom became dear friends. Later, he joined the law firm of Hall Estill, where he took great joy in mentoring and advising younger attorneys beginning their careers. Steve's passion for mentoring led him to teach undergraduate courses in Oil and Gas Law at the University of Tulsa.

Tending and caring for family far exceeded his passion for his professional career. Steve left no doubt in the minds of those who loved him most about his selfless devotion to them. Supporting his family in every aspect of their lives was his greatest pride and joy. However accomplished Steve's legal career became, it was never the focus of his life. His greatest pride was his family. Every decision he made was with them in mind. He loved them even more than Notre Dame football. Steve was a role model to more people than he knew or realized. He was humble, faithful, patient, loving, and kind. He had a dry, yet quick sense of humor, which remained sharp up until the end. He was a proud coach to all of his children and a steady supporter of his grandchildren's endeavors. He never struggled to do the right thing.

Recent passion and love for serving as a volunteer to the clients at the Day Center for the Homeless through Church of the Resurrection filled his heart. He built a legacy of faith, family, and selflessness. The hole we have is immeasurable, but we are honored to be his and will do our best to make him proud every day.

Predeceased in death by his parents, Steve is survived by a large, loving family, including his wife, Mary Kevin, who was his steadfast supporter, best friend, monitor of inappropriate jokes, and love of his life. As well as his children, Stephen R. McNamara, Jr., and his wife, Ashley; Kevin McNamara and his wife, Kayla; Elizabeth (Libby) McNamara; Patrick McNamara and his wife, Carlye; niece Lisa Pilcher-Anglada and her husband, Jaime Anglada; and nephew Sean Mahan and his wife, Brooke. His grandchildren are Mary Loretta McNamara, Stephen R. McNamara, III, Benjamin and Luca Vaughn, Rileigh McNamara, Kellan McNamara, Brisa and Finnegan McNamara, Ryan, Colin, and Brady Pilcher, and Andrew and Russell Anglada, Owen, Alex, Aidan, and Jacob Mahan. Brothers Charles McNamara III, wife Jennifer, and Raleigh McNamara. And numerous other nephews and nieces, and friends whom he loved like family.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Steve's honor to Church of the Resurrection Charities, Friends of Catholic Education-Tulsa, or "most preferably" the Notre Dame Football NIL Fund. Go Irish!

A prayer service will be held in his honor at 5:00 pm Friday, January 30th, 2026 at St. Rita Chapel at Cascia Hall, and a funeral mass at 9:30 am Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151