Lewis B. Munn

Lewis B. Munn (BO) retired Chief Petty Officer passed away on November 13, 2012 of an extended illness.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years. His career began in 1957 and ended in 1980. His tours of military duty spanned the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and he traveled through the Caribbean and the Straits of Gibraltar. His duty carried him to the waters of Vietnam where he received the Vietnam service medal with the Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon and Vietnam Campaign medal/with device. Chief Munn also received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He was given many other awards and commendations from his military commands. He also was awarded six consecutive good conduct awards. And through his employment at the VA Medical Center, he received numerous awards and citations.

Chief Munn served aboard the USS FD Roosevelt CVA-42, USS Dahlgren DLG-12, USS Proteus AS-19, USS William C Lawe-DD 763, and the USS Manley DD 940. He served shore duty at the U.S. Naval Station Trinidad BWI and the Naval Station Washington, DC where he was chosen to be on the funeral procession route for the funeral of the late President John F Kennedy. He also served shore duty in Panama City, Fla., and he served his last command at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.

After retirement, he was employed at the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla., for 19 years. He enjoyed fishing, flowers, and gardening and the visits he had with his grandchildren. His greatest love was to God and to his church. He was a dedicated member of Hague Baptist Church and served in several capacities until he became too ill to attend.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, Jimmy. He is survived by his loving wife Betty King Munn of Hague to whom he was married for 53 years; Pati Munn Walsh (Brian) of Thornton, Colo., Andy Munn (Katherine) of Gainesville, and Matthew Munn (Katie) of Broomfield, Colo., and a daughter-in-law, Debbie Munn (Jimmy) of Gainesville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, Rachel Munn, Beatrice and Daisy Walsh, Jaelah and Preston Munn, and one great grandson, Kenny Ray Pope of Gainesville. He is also survived by a sister, Lessie Rimes (John) of Worthington, Springs. Fla.; brother, Dr. Rufus H. Munn of Fairfield, Fla., and Robert Munn of Hawthorne, Fla. He leaves an extended family of relatives, many nieces, nephews, and cousins and a host of friends far and near.

A Celebration of His Life service will be held on November 24, 2012 at Hague Baptist Church starting at 10 a.m. with Pastor S.J. Brown officiating and with military honors. Direct cremation will be handled by Moring Funeral / Cremation of Melrose, Fla. Chief Munn's ashes will be scattered at sea as his final request.