J. Frank Munns

J. Frank Munns was born to J. Francis Munns and Mary Ninetta Bergevin Munns at St Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla, WA. He was their only son and he joined four older sisters: Nydia Jane
(Mrs. Harold Oliver), Nadine (Mrs. Gene Gerkey), Mary Frances (Mrs. Joe Towner), and Eulah (Mrs. Carroll Davis).

He attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and graduated from DeSales High School with the class of 1961. After graduation he attended the Jesuit novitiate near Sheridan, Oregon for three years. He then attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in the classics. His interest in anthropology and archeology then led him to Indiana University at Bloomington where he graduated with graduate degrees in Latin and classical archaeology.

Frank was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years where he studied Vietnamese to be an interpreter.

From 1976 to 1983 Frank was a lecturer in art history and the director of the Sheehan Gallery at Whitman College. He spent summers in San Francisco attending the San Francisco Art Institute and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. From this time to the present, Frank created art, had numerous exhibitions and staged installations of his work.

Frank was extremely interested in family genealogy and local Walla Walla history and helped found the Frenchtown Historical Foundation and served for many years on its board.

A world traveler, Frank visited the countries of Europe, and many Mid-Eastern and North African as well as Asian countries. Most recently, he visited Japan.

For the past thirty years, Frank has maintained residences in both Walla Walla and San Francisco. He purchased his first Bull Terrier “Max,” there. His second Bull Terrier, “Johnny.” winner of several championships will be remembered by all his friends and family as well as his two year old “Kate,” sired by “Johnny.”

Frank spent many hours at the Prescott farm riding his Paint Quarter Horse, “Stormy,” through the wheat fields, enjoying the country vistas.

Besides his sisters and their spouses, he leaves the following nieces and nephews: Dan Oliver, Chris and Katie (spouse) Oliver, Steve Gerkey, Ed and Becky (spouse) Gerkey, Mary Jane and Hugh (Spouse) Glaser, Becky and Gene (spouse) Bolin, Joe and Sue (spouse) Towner, Tim Towner, Jesse Davis, Paul and Maria (spouse) Davis, Ninetta and Robert (spouse) Armstrong, Owen Davis and many great nieces and nephews.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 10AM until after the Rosary. Rosary services will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 7:00PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Bob McNeese celebrating. Interment will follow the funeral mass at the Mountain View Cemetery of Walla Walla. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, 6 W. Rose St., at 12:30PM following the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362