August 8, 1927 - June 5, 2021
Dr. Lon J Muncy, 93, passed away on June 5, 2021, at home in Winter Haven, Florida, surrounded by his wife and two daughters.
Lon was born on August 8, 1927, in Hopewell, Tennessee, to Lloyd and Media Muncy. He was a 1945 graduate of Forge Ridge High School as Salutatorian and President, at the age of 17.
Due to his father’s ill health and the need for his help on the family farm, he was unable to attend college until the age of 19. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Lincoln Memorial University and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee in 1952.
Dr. Muncy married his beloved wife, Jacqulyn (Hopson) on December 13, 1952. She served faithfully by his side a vital part of his dental team as a registered dental hygienist for forty-two years.
Dr. Muncy volunteered for a two-year term of service in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged from active duty with the rank of captain in 1955. He continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserves until 1963.
After leaving active duty service, he served the Winter Haven and surrounding communities for 42 years as a dentist and oral surgeon.
In addition to his work in the field of dentistry, Dr. Muncy followed in the footsteps of his father as a farmer. As the personification of hard work, he ran a successful dental practice during the day and raised citrus and cattle in the evening. Following his retirement from dentistry, he continued farming until his body would no longer allow it.
Since 1958, Dr. Muncy has faithfully served his local church as an ordained deacon and Bible Study teacher. Dr. Muncy participated in multiple medical missions trips to Haiti, Guatemala, and the Ukraine. He served for many years as a Gideon. With a passion to lead others to the Lord, he never missed an opportunity to tell those he came in contact with about the plan God has for their lives. His goal was to hand out seven “Eternal Life” and Billy Graham tracts each day. Along with each of these information booklets, Dr. Muncy would give a pocket cross which included a message to the receiver reminding them of the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us by dying on the cross for our sins and telling each recipient, “A gift for you, to help you through the day.”
Dr. Muncy started a men's prayer group that continues to meet each week. They pray for the missionaries that have a birthday on that day, for those who have not committed their life to the Lord and for the needs of their community.
He was a founding board member of Winter Haven Christian School, whose campus now bears his name. In 2011, Dr. Muncy was inducted into the Lincoln Memorial University Professional Hall of Fame for his achievements in the field of dentistry.
Lon is preceded in death by his siblings Edna Muncy Lester, Estle Pershing, and Glen Muncy, and grandson Mark Anthony Barbar. He is survived by his wife Jacqulyn; sister June McCoy; children: Rebecca and Mitch Harvey, and Vicki and Anthony Barbar; grandchildren: Laura Cannon, George and Leah Barbar, Jonathan and Katie Barbar, Lisa Harvey, Philip Barbar; great grandchildren: Victoria, Anthony, Drew and Grace Barbar; Emma Britt; Adam, Jackson, Lucy and Alice Barbar.
We will celebrate Lon’s life on Saturday, June 12, with a visitation at 10:00 am and Memorial Service service at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Winter Haven
First Baptist Church Winter Haven
198 West Central Avenue
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
Those who wish to send memorial gifts may make contributions to Gideons International (https://www.gideons.org/donate) or First Baptist Church of Winter Haven (https://onrealm.org/firstwinterhaven/-/give/now).
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