Frederic Monroe McNairy, a former longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, died on October 19 in Sonoma at the age of 90. Fred was born in Los Angeles on August 4, 1921, the youngest of four children. His parents, Bartlett Yancey McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Nichols McNairy, came to California from Minnesota in 1919. Fred grew up in Santa Monica in 1925 and graduated from high school there in 1939. He helped support his family during the 1930’s by fishing off the Santa Monica pier, selling his catch to individuals and fish markets. Fred attended UCLA in the ROTC program from 1939-1942, completing three years of college before entering the Army. After undergoing anti-aircraft training, he was shipped to New Caledonia in March 1944, joining the 497th battalion as range officer. His battalion fought in Guadalcanal, New Guinea and the Philippines before moving to Yokohama in September 1945 when the war ended. He left Japan in July 1946 and was released from active duty as a captain. After re-enrolling at UCLA, Fred graduated in June 1947 with a triple major in mathematics, psychology and military science. He graduated from Stanford Law School in 1950 and soon started a law practice in Beverly Hills, before moving his office to Santa Monica. He retired in 2001. Early in his career he declined offers for a corporate career, preferring instead various partnerships, most notably Baker McNairy & Baker, so as to allow him freedom to devote time to his family. His specialties included business law and estates and trusts. Fred was a generous supporter of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, the Kiwanis Club, Santa Monica Family YMCA, Santa Monica Hospital, Family Service of Santa Monica and the Bay Area Bar Association, and served on the boards of these organizations. He loved attending sporting events and was an avid fisherman and hunter his entire life. He especially enjoyed his annual deep-sea fishing trips for albacore and tuna. He was a dear friend to countless men and women. As a father he was loved and respected by his children who always knew they were the focus of his life. Fred married Katherine Nordstrom on April 19, 1952, and they lived in Pacific Palisades from 1955 to 1991. In retirement they lived in San Luis Obispo before moving to Sonoma in 2004. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jim and Louis; sister Elizabeth and daughter Ann. He is survived by his wife, Katherine; son Jim (wife Dotty), son Fred (wife Judy) and son Chris (wife Darcy); and grandchildren Brock, Keller, Spencer and Claire. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on November 2 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sonoma. Donations in Fred’s memory can be made to the Sonoma Charter School Fundraising, 17202 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, CA 95476 and Santa Monica Family YMCA, 1332 Sixth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401-1604.
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