Ira McNair Jr.

Ira McNair Jr., affectionately known as “Junior” or “Killer.”

On December 21, 1950, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, God blessed Ira McNair Sr. and Leatha Tisdale-McNair with a handsome baby boy they name Ira McNair Jr.  On June 16, 2021, Junior peacefully transitioned from his Earthly home to his Heavenly home.

Junior is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Sandy (Red) McNair, and one brother, Wayne (Rusty) McNair.

Junior accepted Christ at an early age and attended Piney Grove Baptist Church in Sheeplo, MS.  He received his primary and secondary education at Earl Travillion Schools.

During Junior’s early lifetime, he worked diligently as a log truck driver while living in Mississippi.  Later he decided to move to Joliet, Illinois.  There, he worked for John Manville Roofing Company.  He later found his calling and worked for the Joliet Park District; he remained employed with the Park District for 28 years.  He retired in 2017 and moved his family to El Dorado, Arkansas.

On August 25, 2001, Junior married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Harris.  To this union, two children were born.  Ke’Shonda Charmaine McNair and Ira McNair III.  Junior was a loving husband, father, and father figure.  He loved to shower his family with attention and affection. He had so much love for those around him.  To know Junior was to love him.

Junior’s hobbies included landscaping, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends.  He would often be seen mowing lawns and riding his lawnmower with his special son, Keyshawn Brown. He would occasionally get in his car and surprise his out-of-state family with a visit.  When spending time with friends, he loved to laugh, joke, play cards and listen to his favorite Blues Music.   He was also known to keep his car in sparkling condition.

Ira McNair Jr. leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife, Barbara, sons, Ira McNair III, El Dorado, AR; special son, Keyshawn Brown, Milwaukee, WI; daughters:  Ke’Shonda McNair, El Dorado, AR,  Sophie Haynes of Iowa, Elise Donald (James) of Killeen, TX, Tasha Bolton of Hattiesburg, MS, and Kimberly Graves (Charles) Petals, MS,

Sisters, Shelia Howell, of Biloxi, MS, Cattie Lee McNair of Biloxi, MS, Gina McNair (Mike) of Biloxi, MS. Best friend Tim Widner of Wilmington, IL., special Mother-in-law, Georgia Harris, special Father-in-law, Willie C. Harris, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and a host of other relatives and friends.