EVELYN G. MUNTZ
1928-2020
Evelyn Muntz (Mrs. Hascall H., Katy) left this life on December 3, 2020 from complications of Covid-19. Born on April 19, 1928 in Greenwood, MS to Mildred and Paul Bergson, a cotton broker. As oil soared and cotton was no longer king, Evelyn was soon uprooted to the piney woods of east Texas to be reared by her aunt and uncle Sara and Ben Gertz in Kilgore, TX.. Her older brother Milton moved with his mother to California.
From an early age Evelyn was a bright light. Blessed with beauty and brains she graduated high school in Kilgore, spent a year at Kilgore Jr. College where she was a Rangerette and graduated from the University of Texas. Her dazzling smile, talent for leadership and dynamic personality attracted many friends and her senior year was elected President of UT’s Panhellenic Society. It was at the wedding of one of her friends, Maurine Genecov, in Tyler that she met the brother of the groom, Dr. Hascall Muntz. It was love at first sight and they married after Hascall finished medical school and set up medical practice in Tyler.
Blessed with five children Evelyn was the consummate mother. Involved in all their activities while imparting a love of education, reading, art, music and community involvement. Suddenly widowed at 52, she entered the work force for the first time at UT-Tyler in the development department. She excelled at fundraising due to her keen sense of people coupled with a magnetic personality. Many of the buildings on campus today are a direct result of her efforts. Evelyn was active in many organizations including the Symphony League, Hadassah, Temple Beth El President, Temple Beth El Sisterhood, East Texas Medical Society and Medical Auxiliary, AEPhi Sorority and Sister Cities Int’l. In 2018 Evelyn relocated to Houston to be closer to her daughter and son.
Preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Paul Bergson and Sara and Ben Gertz; husband Dr. Hascall H. Muntz; brother Milton Bergson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Robert R. and Maurine Muntz and Dr. Manuel and Mitzie Bloom; step-brother Melvin H.(Buddy) Gertz.
Left to mourn her passing are her children David Muntz (Barbara)-Austin; Dr. James Muntz (Anne)-Houston; Julie Muntz Johnson (Peter)Houston; Ellen Muntz Muskin (Alan)-Austin; William-Muntz-Austin.
Grandchildren - Bella Muntz Kirchner (Gabe); Audrey Muntz (RJ LaForce); Glory Raley (Jereme);
Paige Sutton Lucker; Molly Johnson Stone (Jebb); Anna Johnson Thomas (Clay); Ben Johnson; Amanda Muskin Trevino (Ivan); Hilary Muskin.
Great grandchildren- Hascall and Solomon Kirchner; Caroline and Abe Raley; JP and Cody Lucker; Mikey, Caleb and Cameron Stone, Ford Thomas; Henry and Oscar Trevino.
Special thanks to her devoted caregivers Priscilla Waller, Lanell Holley, Tameika Polk, Koshie Matthews (Edna Doumoulin), Lenora Davis, Nicole Williams and Leigha Earl.
With the passing of Evelyn the world is a little less bright today but her lasting legacy of goodness and love is reflected in all whose lives she touched.
A private family funeral was held in Tyler, TX on Sunday, 12/6/20. If desired, memorials may be made in Evelyn’s name to Temple
Beth El, 1010 Charleston Dr., Tyler, TX 75703 or a charity of your choice.