John Rolland Munson

B:Feb 11, 1925
D: July 01, 2015

Submitted by:Jan Grooms
©The Stilwell Democrat Journal
Wednesday, July 8, 2015

John Rolland Munson, son of John Calvin and Effie Mae (Coombe) Munson was born February 11, 1925 in Arcola, Illinois. He departed this life at Houston House in Houston, Missouri at the age of 90 years. He arrived in heaven his home on July 1, 2015.

At the age of 17, John felt the desire to serve his country that was involved in WWII. So he obtained permission to enlist in the US Navy and attended boot camp in San Diego, CA. He trained in aviation mechanics at Memphis, TN and Burns Flat, OK. While in Oklahoma, he met and married Mamie Lou Ree Tyra on March 10, 1944. Fifteen days after his first son was born, he was shipped to Pearl Harbor, where for the next 16 months he repaired damaged aircraft before being honorably discharged at the end of WWII.

In June of 1946, John was saved and called to preach during a revival in Clinton, OK. He received his Minister's License from the Pentecostal Holiness Church in October 1948 and was ordained in 1950. John pastored in many towns throughout Kansas and Oklahoma. During his 11 years in Kansas, he served as a Pastor, Conference Youth Director and as the Sunday School Association President. He also served as the editor, publisher and printer of the Kansas Pentecostal Holiness newspaper, "The Messenger". John and Mamie conducted summer youth camps and Sunday school growth seminars. They also worked at camp meetings and annual conferences. During his time in Oklahoma, John pastured churches in the East Oklahoma Conference and Ozark Conference. He served on the Ozark Conference Board for two years. One of the churches John pastured for 8 years was the Westville Pentecostal Holiness Church. He retired from the pastorate in 1986, due to health reasons and was a part of the Stilwell community for many years. He continued to perform weddings, funerals and fill the pulpit for pastors when needed.

John was an avid reader, wrote many poems and was a "history buff." He spent many hours working crossword puzzles and cryptograms to, "Keep my mind sharp." His life was lived for God and his family. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren and adored each one. When asked about the most important lessons he had learned in life he said, “We may not be able to leave an inheritance of money, but we can leave our children a good name to be proud of; where they can walk unashamed in any town where we lived and hold their heads high."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mamie after 66 years of marriage, a daughter, Bertie Roberts, a daughter- in-law, Louise Munson, his parents, three brothers and one sister.

He is survived by three sons, John and wife Phyllis of Mooresville, NC, Bill and wife Loral of Tahlequah, OK, Don and wife Peggy of Houston, MO; nine grandchildren, Betty Beckham, Charles Powell and Robert Powell of Charleston, SC area, Jennifer Hawkins of Tahlequah, OK, Lee Munson of Muskogee, OK, Rusty Munson of Fenton, MO, Ryan Munson of Houston, MO, Ricky Roberts of Stillwell, OK and Shelly Turtle of Westville, OK; twenty-two great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; son-in-law, George Roberts of Stilwell, OK, a sister-in-law, Shirley Tyra Graumann of Sapulpa, OK and several nieces and nephews.

For the past 7 years, John was loved and respected by the staff of Houston House. Their constant care for him is deeply appreciated and a blessing to his family. We will miss his loving ways, his quick wit, funny jokes and wide smile, but we rejoice knowing he is now home with His Lord and Savior Jesus, his beloved wife Mamie and daughter Bertie and we look forward to the time we will see him again.

Services for Reverend John Rolland Munson will be Friday, July 10 at 2 pm at Hart Funeral Home Chapel in Stilwell, OK with the Reverend Norman Wilkie officiating. Interment will follow at Stilwell City Cemetery under the care and direction of Hart Funeral Home.

The family requests that memorials be made to
Houston House, 1000 Industrial Drive, Houston, MO 65483.

Online guest book and obituaries available at: www.hartfuneralhome.net

This page was updated: Thursday, 09-Sep-2021 23:44:20 EDT
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