Rev. Gerald Munday

Gerald Munday was born in northern Kentucky on April 17, 1932 to Lyman and Mildred Munday. He was born with hemophilia which was a complicating factor throughout his life.  He answered the call to the ministry as a teenager.  He attended Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky where he met his true love, Sara Fuller.   They married while Gerald was still a student so he worked several odd jobs including night watchman and campus painter. He served Mt. Edwin Methodist Church in Nonesuch, Kentucky as a student pastor.  After graduation from Asbury, he served a Methodist charge consisting of seven Churches in Choctaw County, Alabama.  He entered and graduated from Chandler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 1961 was ordained Elder in the Alabama West Florida Conference of the Methodist Church.  Gerald served several Churches in Alabama including Gilbertown, Marvyn, Epworth in Phenix City, Eight Mile, and Perry Hill in Montgomery.  In 1969, he and his family moved to serve the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church in 1969 where they remained for five years.

Gerald and Sara pursued business interests for several years and even during that time he served as a supply minister for two small Churches (Chunky and Hickory, Mississippi).  After a period of medical leave and an extended illness, Gerald returned to the ministry and was appointed to Leggett Memorial UMC in Biloxi, Mississippi where he retired due to declining health.  Following a liver transplant, Gerald felt he had more to give, so he returned to the pulpit serving Pineview UMC in Allentown, Florida for five years. He retired once again.

This servant of God once more felt the call to service when he joined Covenant Hospice as Chaplin serving north Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  He also volunteered as a Chaplin with Baptist Hospital of Gulf Breeze.  Gerald contributed congregational care, was an active member of the Chancel Choir and began the Messiah Sunday School Class in addition to leading and participating in other study groups at the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church.

During Gerald’s life, he found himself caught up in many diverse issues. He spearheaded the first inter-racial Methodist Rally for the Alabama West Florida Conference held in Mobile 1965.  He played an active role in the Poor People’s March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.  He provided support and comfort to the victims of AIDS and their families during the first years of this pandemic when some ministers refused to bury the dead.  Gerald was often found in jails and prisons visiting and defending people caught in the Judicial system. Creation of an innovative overnight camping program for challenged children was accomplished under his leadership.  Most recently, he established a chapel worship service at the Arbors of Gulf Breeze.  Gerald left a visible mark of growth in every Church he served.  A life well lived indeed.

Gerald graduated into  full retirement along with Sara in their home at the Arbors, Gulf Breeze in 2018.  On April 28th, 2022, with his family by his side, Gerald peacefully entered his eternal home. He is survived by Sara Ann Fuller Munday, wife of 68 and a half years, daughter Lynn Yort (Craig) and son Mark Munday (Kay). Grandchildren Ben Munday (Jessica), Philip Munday (Katie), Keith Munday (Kate), Ashley Lundy (Bill), Aaron Johns (Shaye), DeAnna Handorf (Rickey) and Dan Yort.  Gerald and Sara so loved each of their 10 great grandchildren.  Gerald is also survived by many nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

The family is grateful to the organ donor and his family for Gerald’s final 27 years of life made possible by a liver transplant. They also express deep appreciation to Baptist Healthcare, Fresenius Dialysis Center of Gulf Breeze, People’s Home Health, Beacon Medical, Wal Mart Neighborhood Pharmacy, Home Instead and Covenant Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Interfaith Ministries/Good Samaritan Clinic (4435 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze FL 32563) or Methodist Meals delivered to seniors by the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church (75 Fairpoint Dr, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561).

A celebration of life is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, 75 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561. A reception will follow worship.