Lawrence R. “Larry” McNamee, Jr. passed away at home in Pacific Palisades on Friday, November 30, at the age of 87. He was born in Gary, Indiana, on June 7, 1931, and grew up in Monrovia, California. He served in the U.S. Army as a member of the Commanding General’s staff, Anti-Aircraft Command.
Larry received a B.A. in economics from Claremont Men’s College in 1956 and an M.A. in public administration from Claremont Graduate School in 1958. He had a long and rewarding business career with several organizations, including General Dynamics, Arthur D. Little, Booz Allen and Hydril Corporation before creating his own consulting company, The Diogenes Group.
Larry was “searching for the honest man” when advising companies and helping them navigate through the S&L crisis in the 1980s. Later in life, Larry was CEO of Radiant Technology Corporation, a leader in the manufacture of silicon chips utilized in the solar panel industry.
He met Mary Ann Youlden in college and they were married in Butte, Montana, on September 18, 1956. Larry and Mary Ann celebrated their 62nd anniversary together this past September at home in Pacific Palisades where they have lived since 1962.
Larry enjoyed travel, fly fishing, playing golf, photography, and spending time with extended family and friends at the family cabin in Montana. He loved sailing to Catalina and was a longtime member of the California Yacht Club.
He was an amateur botanist and was a former president of the Malibu Orchid Society. He enjoyed growing chardonnay vines on his terraced hillside and endeavored often to introduce the sequoia gigantea to the Pintler mountains in Montana.
He was an active member of the Getty Villa Council, enjoyed traveling the world as a representative of that group and hosting guests at the Villa and walking the grounds. With Mary Ann, Larry was a longtime parishioner at Corpus Christi Church.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Pearl McNamee, and his brother, William. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his three children, Lawrence McNamee III of Malibu, Catherine McNamee Miller of Napa and John McNamee of Pacific Palisades; as well as daughter-in-law Patti McNamee and granddaughter Leanne and grandson Kevin; son-in-law Chris Miller and granddaughters Annabelle and Reilly; and daughter-in-law Jody McNamee and grandsons Jack and Joe.
Larry was curious and courageous until the end, and forever enthusiastic about life. He loved an intellectual conversation, a hearty laugh and a spontaneous party, especially when a “Mr. Larry” was being poured. Above all, he cherished the loving family and close friends that made his life so full.
Fair winds and following seas, Larry, Dad and Grandpa.
