John Thomas Munday passed away on February 10, 2025 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

John was born in August 1940 to Earl Munday and Thelma Munday (Bradbury) of Los Angeles (Inglewood) California. His siblings were Wayne, Donna, Sandra and Earl.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1957, during the Cold War, at the age of 17. He served on the USS Dixie until 1961. He told me he served as a Cook because of his young age, but Daddy couldn't cook! Even his cornmeal mush left a lot to be desired. Through his stories I learned that he spent a great deal of his down-time with electricians and other skilled work groups. I guess that's where his love of mechanical engineering began.

After his enlistment he met the love of his life Helen Vernel Dickens (Moore) and married in Dallas, Texas on April 20, 1963. One year later they adopted twin baby girls, and rounded out their family of 5 children; David, Tommy, Tony, Glenda and Brenda.

“It's gonna be alright, irregardless!”

The family moved from the Dallas area in the early 1970s, and began a new life in Reno, Nevada. There John quickly took a job driving the old double decker buses that were once famous in downtown Reno, but quickly moved on to a job he truly enjoyed, Engineering. He specialized as an Electrical Engineer and HVAC expert for 2 large casinos for many years.

After 34 years of marriage his beloved wife, Helen, passed away in 1997 from metastatic cancer. With a heavy, broken heart he continued his obligation to his employer and in 2008 (approx) he decided to fulfill one of 2 major promises he made to her, to travel the U.S. So, he set out in a motorhome and headed East, with Helen's ashes and his hand-fed Umbrella Cockatoo, Bubba, by his side. John made it to all of the continental United States (excluding the District of Columbia and Alaska) and loved sharing his adventures with anyone who had the time to listen. He especially enjoyed the opportunities to meet up with his brother Earl and his lovely wife Cyndi and share stories of their travels.

John finally settled in Apache Junction, Arizona around 2012. He adored the Arizona heat, the sunrises, the monsoons, the neighborly communities and laid back lifestyle. But in 2015 his health (and according to him, his pushy daughters!!) made it necessary to move closer to a more accessible VA provider. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and spent the next several years making wonderful friends and memories at St Joseph's Villa.

He was known as a warm, funny, outgoing, lively, friendly and charismatic guy. He never met a stranger. Everyone was a friend, but woe be to those who would disrespect a woman in his presence! He would never stand for that - even at 84 years of age! He will forever be remembered for his brightly colored and festive Hawaiian shirts. He wore them every day of the year. Meant to celebrate the warmth and beauty of every God-given sunny day, or to remind us that if the clouds are heavy and the temp is low- brighter days are just around the corner. He enjoyed reading science fiction books, outings with friends and spending hours with Bubba on his lap watching tv.

John was predeceased by his wife Helen (1997) his stepsons David (2012) and Tony (2022.) He is survived by his daughters Glenda and Brenda and step-son Tommy, his brother Earl, sister Sandra and several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to share in his life.

(John's second promise to Helen was to move somewhere warm once they both retired. That Texas girl hated the cold! So it is my honor to try and make that happen. I'm working to have them laid side by side at the National Memorial Cemetary in Arizona.)

"Bye bye for now, Dad. I love you"