Funeral services for CW4 (Retired)Thomas William Munson will be at 12:00 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025, at Cameron Baptist Church with Pastor Jay Driskill, Senior Adults and Evangelism, Cameron Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will follow with full military honors at Fort Sill National Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

CW4 (Retired) Thomas William Munson, 86, of St. Charles, Missouri, and formerly of Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025. Born on March 23, 1939, in Amarillo, Texas, Tom was the beloved son of William Andrew Munson and Esther Elaine (Kennedy) Munson.

A man of deep faith, boundless compassion, and quiet strength, Tom lived a life defined by service-to his family, his country, his community, and to God. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1957 and pursued higher education with determination and purpose, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Central State College in 1965, followed by a Master's Degree in Elementary Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1968.

Tom dedicated his professional life to education and public service. He served as a principal with Lawton Public Schools, retiring in 1993. He then continued his commitment to serving others through civil service positions at Tinker Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base from 1993 to 2006. From 2006 to 2013, he worked at the GEO Lawton Correctional Facility, where he taught inmates to read and helped them find a path forward through education.

A proud patriot, Tom served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1961 until his retirement in 2000 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4). His military career was a testament to his steadfast loyalty and love of country.

Tom was first married to Aves Anne (Benningfield) Munson, with whom he raised two daughters: Kristi Lynn LaClear (Munson) and Kathleen Anne Dame (Munson). Kristi and her husband, William LaClear, are the proud parents of two children, Jacob and Kennedy LaClear. Daughter Kathy and husband William "Billy" Dame, have their 8 children: Kris and Kaitlyn Parsons, Adan and Rebekah Becerra, Jenah Dame and Matthew Wheeler, Matthew and Joseph Dorman; and two precious great-grandsons: Bentley Wayne and Oakley Coe Parsons.

In 2006, Tom married Sylvia (Walker) Adler Munson, with whom he shared many joyful years together until her passing in January 2017. He loved living on the farm in Indiahoma with Sylvia taking care of the cattle and chickens

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Esther Munson; his second wife, Sylvia; his sister, Linda; and an infant daughter he had with Aves.

He is survived by his brother, Alan Kennedy Munson, his daughters Kristi Lynn LaClear (Munson) and Kathleen Anne Dame (Munson), grandchildren Matthew and Joseph Dorman and Jacob and Kennedy LaClear, extended family, and countless friends whose lives were touched by his wisdom, kindness, and enduring optimism.

Tom lived with a heart full of gratitude and humility. He enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including fishing, farming, and flying-holding a pilot's license and taking loved ones up in his Cessna airplane. He was a lifelong learner who loved reading and studying the Bible. He was also an enthusiastic fan of Oklahoma Thunder basketball, Oklahoma Sooner football, and more recently, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tom was a faithful and devoted member of Cameron Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma, and actively participated in organizations such as the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) and the Rotary Club.

Tom was a shining light in the lives of all who knew him. His legacy is one of faith, service, kindness, and a deep love for others. We ask that he be remembered not for how his journey ended, but for the extraordinary way he lived and loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom's name to Wounded Warrior Project and Folds of Honor.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com