Carl Stanley Munson, 90

Carl Stanley Munson was born on February 25, 1924, in Chicago, IL. Growing up, he developed a love of sports and compete in football, baseball, and speed skating. At 18, he left home and joined the Army Air Corp. Carl's tales of his flights in those airplanes has become legendary in his family, but his motto has remained: "Always have as many landings as you have takeoffs!"

While stationed at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, his football talents came to the attention of Sid Kleffner who recruited Carl to play for the Vandals at the University of Idaho where he lettered in both football and baseball while getting his degree. Carl's claim to fame as a Vandal was when the Vandals beat Stanford University at Stanford on September 27, 1947. Carl was the quarterback, broke his hand during the game, and never even noticed. The following week Stanford was going to play Michigan, the number one team in the nation, and the headlines in the University paper read "If Stanford beats Michigan, does that make Idaho #1?"

While in Moscow, Carl started the Parks and Recreation Department for Moscow, Idaho, sold cars, and owned a gas station. While Carl loved selling cars and enjoyed knowing everyone in town, an opportunity came for him to teach school in Washington. That job turned into becoming a grade school principal and then into a long stint as the Dean of Administration of Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA. "All of the jobs I had after I left Moscow, I got on the golf course," Carl has often said. And the golf course, wherever it was, was Carl's favorite place in the world to be. Perhaps his most memorable quote is: "I never stood on the first tee without thanking God for the beauty and the fun of the game." And he did have fun...from the Tri Cities CC to Idaho to Hawaii to Scotland. He had 19 official holes-in one, and numerous club championships.

In 1977, Carl married Dorothy Bowlby, his beloved "little partner" who passed away in February of 2014. Their travels took them all over the world with the most special time spent together on their 22 trips to Hawaii. When Carl married Dofe, he became father to Konni and Mark, and to his delight over the years, grandfather to John, Kirk, Joel, and Wilson, and great grandfather to Kendalyn and Henry.

Carl loved well and was well loved in return. He had a memory for names, faces, and stories that brought him friends often and easily. And, he never failed to appreciate those who served him as wait staff and as caretakers.

Carl is survived by his two sisters, Lovey Peterson in Illinois and Millie Adams in Oregon. He also leaves behind his beloved step children and their families: Konni (Rich) Leichner, Mark (Heather) Bowlby, John Leichner, Kirk (Jennie) Leichner, Wilson Bowlby and Joel (Autumn) Bowlby, and their children Kendalyn and Henry.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Dorothy, and by his son, Carl "Skip" Munson from his first marriage.

The family extends it's greatest Thank-you to Hospice of North Idaho and North Star Staff for their compassionate care for Carl.

A memorial will be held at a future date. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Carl's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.