The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
In Memoriam: Charles Edward Munson Sr.
10.22.2019 | Baseball
A member of the 1949 Baseball National Championship team and the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, Munson passed away October 22 in Austin.
(Oct. 28, 1923-0ct. 22, 2019)
Charles Edward Munson Sr., a member of The University of Texas' first National Championship team in 1949 and a 2008 inductee into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, passed away in Austin on October 22, 2019. He was 95 years old.
Munson originally enrolled at The University of Texas in 1942 and was a member of the freshman baseball, basketball and football teams before leaving in 1943 to serve his country in World War II as pilot for the Army Air Corps.
After re-enrolling at UT in 1946, Munson became a mainstay on the Texas Baseball team, playing for legendary coach Bibb Falk. A three-year letterman, he helped the program to three Southwest Conference Championships. His senior year, the 1949 baseball team made history, winning the College World Series for the first time in school history.
A native of Manor, Texas and Austin High School graduate, Munson graduated with a degree in physical education from The University of Texas and later received a master's degree from UT in 1955.
Upon graduating from Texas, Munson stayed involved in athletics, first becoming a high school coach before moving into administration, serving as assistant athletic director and then athletic director of the Austin Independent School District.
Munson remained in Austin following his retirement in 1980 and served as an usher at UT football, basketball and baseball games as well as the Texas Relays for several decades. He remained a visible presence at Longhorn sporting events until very recently.
He married his elementary school sweetheart, Dorothy Walsh, in August, 1947 in Round Rock. The couple raised two children, Chuck and Cathy.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, James Munson. He lost Dorothy, his wife of 70 years, in 2018. He is survived by his son, Chuck and daughter-in-law Phyllis; his daughter, Cathy; grandson, Charlie and wife, Malissa; and three great-grandchildren, Gus, Owen, and Abigail.
A memorial service celebrating Charlie's life will be held at St John's Methodist Church (2140 Allandale Rd) on Friday, Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. The visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home (611 N. Lamar Blvd.).