MUNSON, EDWARD R "EDDY", age 81, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away in his sleep on Friday June 16, 2023 from complications of dementia. Ed is survived by his best friend and  dear wife of 57 years, Pamela Bell Munson; son Joshua (Tamara) Munson and grandsons  Everett and Riley of Rochester, NY; daughter Jessica (Marcos) Portillo and granddaughter Perla  of Grand Rapids; one sister, Elaine Miller of NJ; several nieces and nephews and other relatives  in the Bell and Munson families. Over the years Ed and Pam lived in several states and made  many dear friends along the way. From Southern NH to Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and  Grand Rapids, Ed's gregarious nature and sincere love for people will be remembered.

Born November 18, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY to Everett and Adele Munson, Ed and his sister were  raised in Jericho, Long Island, NY on a horse farm. Using his free time to pursue athletics, he  truly excelled in soccer and baseball, earning the lifelong moniker "Fast Eddy". Bowling, tennis  and golf became favorites that he enjoyed for many years.

After college Ed spent some time as a navigator for the US Air Force, traveling the world before  he met his sweetheart Pamela on a blind date. They married January 15, 1966 on a rainy day in Alexandria, LA, surrounded by family and friends. Ed and Pam then set up their new life in  Cincinnati, OH, where they later welcomed their son Joshua before relocating to Amherst, NH  where Jessica was born. There, Ed was employed as a traveling salesman for manufacturing  industries in the northeast.

The early 1980's had brought a new element of unity to Ed's family as all four embraced a  common faith, and Ed was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1983. An ever-growing  appreciation for the Bible was at the core of how Ed lived for the rest of his life. He became a  fine teacher and minister to many for decades and will be missed by many, until their shared  hope of an earthly resurrection is realized. (John 5:28,29)

The Munsons led an active life with their children, bringing them up on the ski slopes, lakes and  beaches in their home states of NH and NY, enjoying many fun times vacationing together and  with friends into their golden years. After retirement in 2004, Ed was back on the road as a  part-time driver for schools and chartered trips until relocating to Michigan from upstate NY.  Many fun family visits were had as the grandkids were growing up, all three of them enjoying  PopPop's fun-loving nature and willingness to be silly.

A memorial service is to be held on

Saturday July 8, 2023 at 2pm

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses

1320 36th St SE Grand Rapids, 49508

Ed's memorial service will be available via Zoom

ZOOM MEETING ID: 872 4689 1422

PASSWORD: 209998

Ed's family would like to thank the many caregivers that had a hand supporting him in his last  few years of life, specifically those at Care Resources and Faith Hospice.