of Little Rock, AR
April 15, 1937 - December 21, 2017
Lee Arthur Munson was born on April 15, 1937, the eldest of three children, to an American father, A.L. Munson, and a Canadian mother, Anna Marie Carr, in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada. When he was two years old, the family moved to the orchard country of south Miami, Dade County, Florida. Here he learned to fish in all of Florida's waters. He was educated in the South Miami school system, vying for academic honors with his neighbor and schoolmate Janet Reno, future U.S. Attorney General. His family moved to Booneville, Arkansas, in hopes of medical help at the sanatorium for his mother's asthmatic heart condition. His mother died on Mother's Day when he was fifteen, after which he was invited into the home of the then Chancery Judge (later Federal Judge) Paul X. Williams, his wife Beth, and their five children. Here he spent several happy years and enjoyed an enduring friendship with the family all his life. He worked at many jobs to achieve his education, graduating from Booneville High School in 1956, Arkansas Tech University in 1963, and the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1967. He was married on August 23, 1963, to Alice Ann Fiser of Russellville.
His legal career included Deputy Prosecuting Attorney under Richard Atkinson; Assistant Attorney General under Ray Thornton, where he represented the state medical, pharmacy and engineering boards; clerk for the Supreme Court of Arkansas under Justice Conley Byrd. He was three times elected Prosecuting Attorney for Pulaski and Perry Counties, Sixth Judicial District, from 1973-1978 and served twenty years as a Chancery Judge, Sixth Judicial District. He then was elected Municipal/District Judge and served from 1990 until his retirement in 2008.
He is survived by his wife of fifty five years, Alice Ann, son Eric Munson and his wife Susie Douglas Munson, daughter Alissa Munson Coffield and her husband Matthew Coffield, and five grandchildren: Mary Grace Munson, Douglas Paul Munson, Stephen Lee Munson, Matthew Joshua Coffield and Jacob Christopher Coffield, all of Little Rock, his sister Judith Stewart of Fort Smith, and many loved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Don R. Munson.
Lee's life was marked by a passion for justice, an empathy for those who struggle in life, and a willingness to offer options to those who wanted to improve their lives. He made many friends in the legal and judicial system through the years. The Supreme Court of Arkansas recently awarded him the status of Attorney Emeritus for fifty or more years of ''dedication and honorable service to the legal profession as a licensed attorney.''
Lee was an avid outdoorsmen who enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially in the company of his friends and family. He found peace and beauty in nature and saw God's hand in the creation of the physical world.
A service will be held Tuesday, January 2nd at 3:00 p.m., St. James United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts of remembrance be sent to the Fraternal Order of Police (LRFOP) Foundation,
P.O. Box 3451, Little Rock, AR 72203 and to the Nature Conservancy in Arkansas, 601 North University, Little Rock, AR 72205
Alice Ann, Eric and Alyssa, you remain in my prayers, thoughts and heart.
Alice,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. He was well respected and impacted many lives. I miss the time in class and the writing center. Prayers to you and your family.
Judge Munson will be remembered as a fair and honorable man. I missed him the moment he left the bench. Prayers go out to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
The DD Council Network and National Association of DD Councils staff.
Dear AA & Family,
I know that you are in pain right now, but Lee was a good man and he needed rest. I can’t believe how long ago it has been since we all became family. I truly understand your pain. Love you.
Nora
Lee Munson was an outstanding friend to my family, mentor to me personally, and great public servant to the people of Arkansas. He made a positive impact on his community and friends and left all of us better off for knowing him.
LEE gave me my first job as an attorney in 1973 when I began my law career as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney on September 1, 1973.
As a judge he was always fair with everyone.
Kept up with him through Jud
Judge Munson was a truly nice person and well-loved. My parents, Chic and Mary Ann Young, liked and admired him a lot and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go to his family.
Lee was always a good friend and mentor and we'll miss him.
Words cannot express the loss that has occurred. Peace be with you.
I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Muson's passing. I always looked forward to seeing him and you, Alice Ann. You were always so welcoming to me, both of you made me feel like family. I am reminded of him everyday, I have the bird book he gave me on my desk. He was a very special man and he has touched so many lives and will continue to do so even now. Love to you and Judy.
Alice Ann,
I was so very sorry to hear about Lee's passing. I have wonderful memories of the time Peggy and myself got to spend with the two of you when we visited Stephanie in Little Rock. You were both an important part of her life and we were always grateful for your presence in her and Kiera's lives. My prayers are with you and your children and grandchildren during this very difficult time. May Lee rest in peace.
Frank O'Brien and all the O'Brien family in Galway, Ireland
Alice Ann, Eric. Alyssa and Families
I was shocked and heartbroken to learn from AA on Christmas Eve that Lee had passed away. He holds a special place in my heart and is solely responsible for my going into the practice of Law. I am so sorry that I could not extend my stay to attend the memorial service in Little Rock. You are all very much in both Kieran and my thoughts and prayers. I know that you take comfort in the fact that he is no longer suffering. He fought a valiant fight..
With much love... always
Stephanie & Kiera
So sorry for your loss.
Joe and Rosie Freeman
Alice Ann, Eric, and Alissa,
I can't begin to express how sorry I am to hear of Lee's passing. As you know, we shared many, many times at school and athletic events, duck and deer hunting, watching the Travelers at Ray Winder, and in each other's home. I always admired his facility for cutting through life's chaff and getting to the important stuff; and, his ability to engage and embrace people from future presidents to the homeless guy. A truly unique and remarkable man who will be missed. Pretty fair wing shot too.
Mrs Munson, you may not remember me from the creative writing class at UALR. I am very sorry to hear about Lee. I wish I could be there to give you my codolences in person. I will never forget the party you and Lee had when he brought fresh shrimp from Mississippi.
Kindest regards,
Rodger
Dear Alice Ann, Eric, and Alissa,
I was very sorry to hear about Lee's passing. You helped me and my family when we needed it, and I'll always remember your family's laughter and kindness. I am thinking about you all.
Claire Parins
Judge Lee Munson had several uncommon gifts, he had an abundance of common sense and skill in dispensing justice. He served the citizens of Arkansas well. Even more than his judicial qualities his greatest attribute was...better friend you will never have. He was a friend for life. Best wishes to the family and his many friends. We are all better for knowing you Sincerely, Mark Whitmore, former law clerk for the Hon. Lee A. Munson
Eric,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Eric and Alissa,
Judge Munson was an amazing man and had a positive impact on all those he touched. I along with everyone lucky enough to have met him will never forget him. I am reminded of so many awesome memories spent around your home during High School. We certainly tested his and your wonderful mothers patience but were always made to feel welcome despite our shenanigans. We will continue to pray for your comfort and strength during this difficult time. God Bless you all!
My thoughts and prayers for your family. My Dad (Larry Plunkett) was good friends with the Judge Lee and I know they are rejoicing in heaven now. Praying for you all during this difficult time.
Dear Alice Ann,
I was saddened to hear about your loss. Your husband was a fine man. You have always been one of my favorite educators (and people). I wish you peace during this difficult time and all the best for the future.
Best,
Todd Anderson
Please accept my family's prayers and sorrow at the passing of this great man.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. We have so many great memories.
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Thoughts and prayers to Alice Ann and family. I thought so much of Lee, he will certainly be missed.
In most legal careers, I guess there is someone who , after law school, gives that young lawyer an opportunity to develop and begin law practice. Judge Munson had just been elected prosecutor and he was clerking for Judge Byrd prior to taking office. I was clerking for Judge George Rose Smith right out of law school. I asked Lee to please consider me for an opening as deputy prosecutor later. Later that year, he hired me. Working with him and all the great legal staff he had was my break in life! Without Judge Munson's help, (giving me a chance), I honestly don't know where I would have gone in life. Thank you Mr Prosecutor ! God Bless you for your kindness.
DEAR MUNSON FAMILY & FRIENDS OF THE JUDGE,
I was a friend of Lee Munson - a man who
understood 'the spirit of the law' was
paramount and not 'the form of law' that
keeps justice alive. He was a good
Prosecutor for Pulaski County and fine
Arkansas Judge too. As an attorney, when in
the Judge's court, I had complete faith in
his legal wisdom and unbiased rulings. Away
from the legal bench, his 'friendly ways'
always showed what aconsiderate, clever and
good man he was.
May the Great Master, GOD IN HEAVEN, who is
the ultimate judge of us all, have granted
Lee Munson,(and someday, for us all) 'MERCY.'
I pray his soul was blessed with a welcoming
home amongst the angels in Paradise; and may
PEACE be in all the hearts of all who loved
and were loved by him.
So sad to hear the news , i considered him a friend , admired him and respected his wise advice over the years.
He really was a friend of the people.
I will miss him.
Dear Alice,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May you feel peace and comfort in the weeks ahead as you celebrate the life of Lee. I only knew him a short time but every minute with him was a joyful experience. The love and pride he shared with me of his family and friends brought him such joy in these past few months that I knew him. I will miss him but until we meet again I will hold his memory in highest regard and with utmost respect. He was a dear friend. May God bless you all and God bless Lee.
Your friend always,
Sharon
A fine public servant and true friend for many years. RIP, Judge. Your memories will be in our hearts forever. P
it was both an honor and a privilege to have been the judge's bailiff from 1992-1997 as part of my duties at LRPD.i was double lucky as my dad was also from Booneville and the judge knew both my grandparents and great aunt and uncle.we would talk in chambers about that small town and how it influenced him.my prayers to alice ann who i had as a professor at UALR and the rest of the family.he has and always will be in our prayers .a large void has been created that can not be filled...R.I.P.Judge...you will be missed.....
"Golden lads and girls all must, as chimney sweeps, come to dust". My thoughts are of you this December morning. Fletcher
Sending my condolences to the family. He touched my life in a positive way. Gone but never forgotten
Lee was an all around good person. Good Prosecutor. Good Judge. Good Lawyer. Good sportsmsn. Good Friend. YES!! Good PERSON.
We shared a trip to the Final Four, and a fishing trip to Mexico. AND lots of good fellowship.
So so sorry to wake today and learn of Lee’s death. U both r so dear to us I hope learn of the memorial and perhaps drive back.