George Mungas Jr.

BILLINGS - George Mungas, Jr., 86, of Billings, died of natural causes Jan. 1 at a Billings care center.
A service for him and his wife will take place in the summer. Cremation & Funeral Gallery of Billings is in charge of arrangements.
George's death occurred three weeks and a day after the death of his beloved wife, Dorothy. A joint service is planned for 11 a.m. July 22, which would be the 67th anniversary of their wedding, at the Granite County Historical Museum and Cultural Center in Philipsburg, Mont., with burial in the Philipsburg Cemetery.
Survivors include four children, Peggy Anne (John) Munis of McLeod, Mont., Dr. James Edward (Carol) Mungas of Great Falls, Mont., Charles Robert (Andrea) Mungas of Marktsteft, Germany, and Dr. Dan Michael (Theresa) Mungas of Plymouth, Calif.; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
George was born Sept. 5, 1922, the son of Peter Zatezalo (later changed to Mungas) and Angela (Kosanovich) Mungas, in his parents' ranch home on Upper Willow Creek, near Philipsburg. A younger brother, Peter, was born Nov. 18, 1924.
George and Peter grew up on the family ranch. He and his brother were inseparable, and received their primary education in a country school near Willow Creek. George graduated from high school in Thompson Falls in 1939. Following graduation, he continued to work on the family ranch near Philipsburg.
He and Dorothy Helen McGrath were married July 22, 1942. After working at the ranch for several years, they moved to Renton, Wash., where George worked at a military shipbuilding yard during World War II.
George and Dorothy returned to the family ranch after the end of World War II, where George worked the ranch and Dorothy worked as a schoolteacher in Philipsburg. After retiring from ranching in 1973, they moved to Lolo, Mont., where George worked as a mechanic at farm equipment dealerships and for the state forestry department in the nursery program. They moved to Billings, Mont., in 1990.
George was recognized at an early age as having great horsemanship skills, and having a very inquisitive and innovative mind. He became a master welder while working in the shipyards during World War II, and his welding skills benefited many while he ranched near Philipsburg. He created a wide variety of innovative mechanical products from steel, many of which still are in use today. He was very accomplished in animal husbandry, ranch veterinary skills, machinery and mechanical operation and repairs, and land and timber management.
George was a "jack-of-all-trades" - an inventor, accomplished home builder, carpenter, electrician, plumber and all-around handyman. He was a very warm, generous and happy person, who enjoyed the company of others and helping others. He took special pleasure in building, constructing, making or repairing items for family, friends and neighbors.
George worked responsibly and hard his entire life, but also found time for fun diversions with his family and friends. He was always particularly proud of and supportive of his entire family, his wife Dorothy, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. George will be missed greatly by all.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Peter, who died while serving in the United States Army in Burma in 1945; his mother, Angela, in 1955; his father, Peter in 1970; and, as noted above, his wife, Dorothy, on Dec. 10, 2008.
The family would like to express its great appreciation to the staff of Valley Health Care in Billings for the excellent care they provided to both George and Dorothy Mungas.
Memorials are suggested to the Granite County Historical Museum and Cultural Center, P.O. Box 502, Philipsburg, MT 59858; or to the Philipsburg Area Educational Foundation. P.O. Box 900, Philipsburg, MT 59858.
Condolences may be posted online at www.cfgbillings.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.