James Clark Munger

James Clark Munger, age 98, passed away on December 19, 2025 in San Jose, California. Born on June 24, 1927 in San Jose, he was the younger of two sons born to Carrie Sutherland Munger and Charles Newcomb Munger. After completing his high school studies a year early in 1944, Jim attended Stanford University for a year, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy for a year. After his discharge from the Navy, Jim returned to Stanford, where he majored in electrical engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1949 and a master’s degree in 1950.

Jim’s first job as an engineer was with Sylvania Electric Products in Emporium, Pennsylvania. It was here that he met and married his wife, Ruth, whom he persuaded to move back with him to California. Jim spent the next 10 years primarily working for Sylvania, after which he accepted a job with Litton Industries, where he remained for the following 30 years. Known for his integrity, humor, and intelligence, Jim quickly rose through the ranks at Litton from sales engineer to division manager. After working for 13 years in San Carlos, California, Jim was transferred to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he successfully turned around the failing division of Litton there. Jim and his wife returned to San Carlos six years later; and after nine more years, Jim retired as the president of the Electron Devices Division.

Once retired, Jim began to work as a volunteer at Stanford University, where he helped engineering students obtain jobs through the Career Center and eventually assumed the position of job fair manager. He volunteered at Stanford for over 20 years, only retiring when his wife’s health began to decline and she needed him at home.

Outside of work, Jim had many interests, including reading and collecting both fiction and non-fiction books, visiting art museums and galleries, listening to and attending performances of classical music, and traveling throughout North America and Europe.

In 2020, Jim moved from his home in San Carlos to an apartment in a San Jose retirement community, where he continued to pursue his interests in reading and classical music.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles Newcomb Munger, Jr.; his nephew, Charles Newcomb Munger, III; and his wife of 67 years, Twila Ruth Munger. He is survived by his daughter, Janice Lipeles (Russell); his grandsons, Jeffrey Lipeles and Gregory Lipeles; and his niece Mary Jane Granneman (Vernon). Inurnment has occurred at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.