Gregorio Munoz Jr. (age 70) passed away unexpectedly July 5, 2014, at his home in Cheney. He is survived by his four children: son Gregorio III and his wife Cathy of Cheney, son Gary of Cheney, daughter Gina Hollingsworth and her husband Jerald (currently stationed in Germany), and his son Gilbert and his wife Maria of Fresno, Calif.
He will also be missed by his sisters Inez, Annie, and Norma; his brother George; and his five grandchildren who meant the world to him: Rebecca Marquez, Marissa Marquez, Jerald Hollingsworth Jr., Gilbert Munoz Jr., and Gabriella Munoz. Gregorio was preceded in death by his wife, Vernice, in 2004.
Gregorio Jr. was born Sept. 12, 1943, to Gregorio Sr. and Paula Munoz in El Paso, Texas. Gregorio joined the United States Air Force in 1962. While at his first posting in Colorado Springs, he met his future wife, Vernice Olson. They were married on April 26, 1965.
The family lived at various places in the U.S. and overseas during the 20-plus years he proudly served as an NCO in the transportation and logistics field. Gregorio earned several citations, including the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal w/3OLC, the Air Force Commendation Medal w/3OLC, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (Vietnam), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/1OLC, and the RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm amongst others.
Gregorio is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served several tours in bases supporting the war effort from Thailand and Korea. Gregorio retired from active military service in 1984 and rejoined the Department of Defense as a civilian, continuing to work for the Air Force in transportation and logistics for another 20 years. He retired as a civilian from McCord Air Force Base after his wife's passing and moved to Cheney to be closer to his sons, and use it as a base from which to indulge his love of travel and visiting his grandchildren.
He was a skilled woodworker, and excellent craftsman and was well known for being able to solve engineering problems with seemingly simple gadgets. His generosity, his humor and his insights will be missed by many.
Services were held Friday, July 11, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, followed by full military honors. He was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Cheney alongside his beloved wife. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Gregorio Munoz Jr. to: MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486 or online at http://www.mdanderson.org/gifts. Sign online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com.
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