Donald “Don” Ray Munford drew his last breath on this Earth and began his new and eternal life with Jesus on Monday, April 21, 2025. He spent his final moments surrounded by the love of his family.
Don was born on October 4, 1962, to Bob and Sharon Munford; the second of their four children. He was raised in Mexico, Missouri, where he enjoyed helping his dad with their moving company and furniture repair shop.
Mexico is also where he met Carmen, who enamored him more than the fastest corvette. He proposed to her the same night they shared their first kiss, and they married soon after. They shared 38 beautiful years together playing pitch, hunting deer, dancing to Alan Jackson, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys.
Don loved nothing more than his family. He and Carmen raised three beautiful daughters, and doted on their five granddaughters. He was a fierce protector and dedicated father and Poppy, always making sure that his children and grandchildren knew they were loved by him and loved by God. He was a caring father-in-law, and never passed up an opportunity to work on a project or pass on the knowledge he learned from “the school of hard knocks.”
There was nothing Don wouldn’t do for his family, including making plenty of deer tenderloin for the family Christmas dinner. He loved to do things he thought would playfully embarrass or exasperate his daughters, and found it equally enjoyable to do the same to his granddaughters. Because of him, his family will always remember who they are, and the responsibility that goes with it.
Don was an avid hunter and fisherman; and valued the years he spent teaching hunter’s education. He loved pastoring and sharing God’s grace and mercy with anyone who would listen. Don had the pleasure of baptizing all three of his children, four of his grandchildren, and many more friends and family into the kingdom of Christ. He enjoyed watching movies, especially action movies and (not-so-secretly) sappy hallmarks. He loved a good, rare steak, no seasoning needed. And during football season, you’d be hard pressed to convince him to miss a Cowboys game.
Don is survived by his wife, Carmen (Haynes) Munford; by his daughters, Amber (Billy) Way, Hannah (Buck) Thomas, and Hayley (Joe) Munford; and by his granddaughters, Natalie, Avarie, Spencer, Finley, and Octavia.
He is also survived by his siblings: Sandy (Victor) Shull, Pat (Odell) Gaw, and Mike (Susan) Munford; many nieces and nephews; and beloved animal friends: Dallas (cat), Diesel (dog), Atlas (dog), Freya (dog), and Witten (dog). Don was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Sharon Munford; and also several loyal pets: Zeke (dog), Susie (dog), Morgan (dog), and Jake (dog).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton, MO. Memorial service will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton with Rev. Melissa Hatfield, Rev. Dr. Bill Maxon and Jamie Cox officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to “Keys to Hope” through First Baptist Church of Jefferson City at fbcjc.org/give or checks payable to FBC JC, with “Keys to Hope” in the memo, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St, Fulton, MO 65251. Keys to Hope is an initiative to address housing insecurity in Jefferson City in the name of Christ. Online condolences may be made at www.debofuneral.com
