James Albert Munro

Hephzibah, GA - James Albert Munro, Jr., 80, loving husband of Brenda Wells Reeves Munro for over 35 years entered into his eternal rest on Monday, September 4, 2023, at his residence. A memorial celebration of his life will be held Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 11 o’clock at Pine Hill Baptist Church, 4233 Old Waynesboro Road, Hephzibah, GA with Pastor John Strickland officiating. James was the son of James Albert Munro, Sr. and Helen Virginia Prigg Munro. born on March 15, 1943, in Washington, DC. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his sister Jean Munro Whitten and brother John (Sandy) Munro In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Jimmy Munro and wife Tammie, Tony Munro, stepchildren Belinda and husband Scottie Tilley, Hope and husband Don Ray, Mike and wife Heather Reeves, Charles and wife Cheryl Reeves. Grandchildren Adam and wife Brooke Beckum, Brooke and husband Blake Wallace, Olivia Ray, Talor and Jake Cooper, Holly Reeves, Lauren Reeves, Shane Reeves, great grandchildren, Cohen, Dylan and Hoyte Beckum, Brody, Briggs and Brynlee Wallace, Allison and Jackson Cooper and four additional grandchildren and four additional great grandchildren, Nieces Allison Alger and Wendy Merrell and nephew Rick Munro and son-in-law Joseph Beckum. Since James’s father was enlisted in the U.S. Army, it allowed his family to move frequently. In 1952, the family moved to Nuremberg, Germany and then return to the States in 1955. After several more moves, his father transferred to Seoul, South Korea, James along with his mother and brother all moved to Lehigh Acres near Ft. Meyers, Florida. In 1962, James followed in his father’s military footsteps and joined the Navy. After his father decided James ate to much, he gave him four choices, Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines. James chose the Navy and attended bootcamp training at the Great Lakes. After 12 weeks of training, James graduated and was stationed at Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville, Florida. This would be his home port. For a brief period, James stayed in transit but was soon assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42 which was a World War II aircraft carrier. His rank in the Navy was Boiler Tender Second Class Steam Propulsion. They were called “Snipes” because they worked below the deck. Within two weeks the carrier went to Cannes, France in the Mediterranean Sea where he was transferred to the USS Stribling DD 867, World War II Naval destroyer. It was but a brief time that the ship was put on alert in which the crew later found out was the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. John F. Kennedy, current President, and Russia’s President Khrushchev reached an agreement and pulled Russian missiles out of Cuba taking them off alter. James’s next several years included extensive travel throughout the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic, Virgin Islands, Cuba through the Suez Canal twice and back, Red Sea, and the India Ocean. He often told others that he has been around the world four times. As his service time expired, he was transferred back to Mayport, Florida and stationed on the USS Yellowstone as a destroyer repair ship. James’s naval career ended soon and then moved to Martinez, Georgia. For a while James worked at Continental Can and then was hired by Georgia Power in October 1966. This was the beginning of a 38 plus year career as a Fleet Mechanic. He retired from the North Leg location. During his retirement he continued to repair vehicles for his friends and family in his backyard shop. His friends would often visit him in this shop which was his favorite place to hang out and drink his favorite beverages. James was a very generous person and provided financial support to his family. There was never any doubt of how much he loved his own two children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He never had any desire for material things. As his wife, stepchildren, and grandkids often took vacations, he stayed home, because he said he had seen all the world he wanted to see. He used the small amount of money that he received repairing vehicles to supplement his grandchildren’s shopping trips with their grandmother. He rewarded his grandchildren for report cards whether they good or not. He would ask them if they tried their best and no matter what they said he rewarded them. He only asked for their love, affection, and to listen to his naval stories and as he would say “you know what I mean”. Chance and Hydrick Funeral Directors 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA 30906 www.chanceandhydrick.com

James Albert Munro

March 15, 1943 - September 4, 2023