He was born in a bedroom of the family home in Waterloo, New York in 1927. As was his desire, he passed away in his home in Overland Park, Kansas.
During his lifetime he was taken care of quite well by three wonderful women. His mother, Ethel Mattison McNair (deceased), His first wife of 47 years, Mary Margaret Myers McNair (deceased) and his second wife of 25 years, Margaret Louise Brown Collins Huntington McNair.
For three years he was taken care of with far less sympathy by the United States Navy during the second world war.
His father, Bertram Ray McNair, was a devout family man and loyal Mason who supported his family during the depression. Bertram passed away having received but not having cashed his first social security check. Mac always cashed his checks quickly.
Carlton had a younger sister, Mary McNair Nicolette DiPernia who was a lovely lady with a strong will and a great sense of humor. Mary passed away fifteen years ago.
As a youngster, Carlton bought his own used car and drove it to the airfield to fly a plane for the Civil Air Patrol. He had a pilot's license but was far too young to have a driver's license. Little did he know that he would pass on his rebellious nature to his children.
To pay for his car and his flying fees, he played the coronet in “roadhouses” around his hometown - seeing far more than a fourteen-year-old should witness.
His first wife, Mary Margaret passed away 28 years ago.
His daughter, Paula Ann McNair Riniker passed away just one month ago.
His son, Raymond Claude McNair passed away seven years ago.
His grandson Jacob Edwards passed away last year.
He is survived by first generation:
Diane Binkley
Mike Collins and wife Cyndi
Janette Huntington
Kathy Collins Edwards
David Huntington and wife Kathy
Chris Collins
Katie Huntington
Theresa McNair (wife of Ray)
Jim McNair and wife Pam
Second generation: (grand)
Shaun Binkley
Ara Binkley and wife Katja
Sandor Binkley
Brett Edwards and wife Tonja
Nathan Edwards
Christina Huntington
Jon Huntington
LeAnne Hightower
Eric McNair and wife Torri
Jeff McNair and wife Amanda
Olivia McNair and husband Kevin Young
Tracy McNair
Third generation (great)
Olli Binkley
Lina Binkley
Meara Edwards
Fiona Edwards
Zeke Edwards
Tressa Edwards
McKinley Edwards
Christina Huntington
Jon Huntington
Jena Dunham and husband Neil Dunham II
Vivian Hayes
Jessica Brandon and husband Thomas
Joey Leath and wife Haley
Justin Leath
Jackson Leath and wife Sklyer
Opal Young
Otis Young
Jaden Dunham
Neil Dunham III
Wesley Dunham
Aaron McNair and wife Ashton
Abby McNair
Eli McNair
Torrin Beasley
Layne Beasley
Paige Beasley
Quinn Beasley
Fourth generation (great, great)
Carter McNair
Penelope Brandon
Beau Leath
Violet Brandon
Jettson Leath
Cade Leath
Mac was a devout Presbyterian for 85 years. He served as a deacon and elder in his congregation at the Overland Park Presbyterian Church. Mac had sailed around the entire world during his Navy service - but had never been to the middle of the United States. His best friend, a Presbyterian minister named Marcy Punnett recommended to Mac that he attend a Presbyterian College in the middle of the country that accepted the GI bill as total payment for books, tuition and board. Mac attended Park College in Parkville, Missouri graduating in 1950. At Park College he met Mary Margaret Myers - his first wife.
Also surviving is a friend and fellow Park College alumni – Keith Couch.
Mac’s last years of his life he was a member of the Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
After graduating from Park College, he got married without yet having landed a job. Marcy Punnett came out to Webb City, Missouri to officiate at the wedding. A short time later, Mac was offered a job by a fledgling young school district - Shawnee Mission Schools. He was an elementary school principal for most of his thirty-five years in the District. His school staff once surprised him with a gift of a membership to the Kansas City Playboy Club.
He was a dedicated volunteer, in Johnson County Kansas - Mental Health Board, Council on Aging, and the Silver Haired Legislature. He was elected President of the Silvered Haired Legislature in the State of Kansas.
He was President of the Johnson County Association of Retired School Personnel.
Just last year he was the Campaign Manager for his son's nonpartisan candidacy.
One of his proudest moments was having his picture taken in front of a newly opened "Detox" center for Johnson County for which he had advocated.
In 1972, he built a cabin in the mountains outside of Taos, New Mexico using child labor and following the instructions from a book entitled "How to build your dream home for less than $ 3,500" - now available online. He refused to apply for a building permit. As an Elementary School Principal with his summers off, he spent 50 summers at his cabin.
Mac will be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered at his cabin “Casa McNair”.
He was a member of the German American Club of America. He was an avid folk dancer.
He was President of the Overland Park Rotary Club with perfect attendance by attending sessions during the summer in Taos, New Mexico.
Up until 1971, Mac was a heavy smoker. His son was scheduled to go on an expedition to Philmont Scout Ranch with two adult supervisors. One adult supervisor was transferred in his job at the last minute, so Mac was recruited to be the second adult in the 12-day trek through the mountains. He quit smoking the day that he signed on to the trek. Never to restart. The individual he replaced died of lung cancer in 1997. Just think of all of those generations of offspring that he would have missed if he had not quit smoking.
After thirty-one years of collecting social security, we will see if the July entitlement is reclaimed by the social security administration or if the Colfax County New Mexico government tries to collect their building permit fees.
There will be a service at the Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Boulevard, Leawood, Kansas at 2 PM Saturday, July 20.
The service will be led by Michael Dunlap - a friend of the family
This will be followed by a reception at his son’s home at 13703 Granada Road.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to your retirement accounts.
Nvidia is a good long-term play.
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