Leon Ernest Munk

Leon Ernest Munk passed away on February 13, 2026, in South Jordan, Utah. He was born on May 16, 1941, in Price, Utah to Jeanne Giraud and Howard Munk. He married Carol Elaine Martin on September 23, 1991.

Leon served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964 aboard the USS Turner Joy and then the USS Wilkinson, where he received his engineering education. After his service, he moved from Utah to California and raised three of four children, his fourth, Stephen, passing away soon after being born, with his first wife, Etta. He worked at Ampex, where his creative yet analytical mind led him to build television production equipment, earning him the distinction of having the first VCR in the neighborhood and a bootleg copy of Star Wars, which was very popular amongst the kids on the block.

Leon was an avid cribbage player and fisherman, often bringing home enough salmon to feed the entire family for weeks. An avid rock hunter and lapidary hobbyist, Leon spent many hours polishing rocks and gems and designing jewelry. His engineer's mind was never still; he loved designing innovative new products and always looked for ways to improve existing products on the market, and could often be heard saying, “It’s just wrong, I can make it better!”

Leon later met Carol Martin and moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains to live on 5 acres among the redwood trees on Mystery Spot Road, where they gardened, raised animals, and enjoyed “life on the farm,” as they called it. After retiring from EDO Reconnaissance & Surveillance Systems in San Jose, Leon’s deep love of family led him and Carol back to his roots in Utah. There, he and Carol spent their retirement years sharing stories with siblings, drawing and painting, listening to books, watching cooking shows, and continually learning—embracing both knowledge and the joy of his family’s love.

He will truly be missed by his children and his brothers and sisters.

Leon is survived by his children Tracey Munk (Jeff), Kelly Munk (Stefani), and Kevin Munk (Gina), their mother, Etta Munk. He is also survived by his stepchildren Shari Douglas, Scott Stagliano, and Isaac Adams, along with six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Leon is also survived by his five brothers, Richard, Pete, David, Michael, Robert and two sisters, Emerett and Margaret.

He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Jeanne; his wife Carol (Martin) Munk.

Services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:30 am with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:30 am at Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 S 900 E, Murray, UT 84121. Interment at Memorial Redwood Cemetery.