The family of retired Lt. Col. John "Jack" Wallace Muth III sadly announces his passing, which occurred on Aug. 12, 2009.
Jack was born in Baltimore and grew up in San Diego. He attended St. John the Evangelist School and graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1965. After high school, Jack attended Mesa Junior College where he cleverly switched English classes so he could meet his future wife, Coleen Baker.
In 1966, Jack followed his parents' tradition of serving their fellow Americans and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, ultimately retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 31 years of dedicated service. He joined many thousands of young men who fought courageously in Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart during the war. Later in his career, he was awarded a Bronze Star during the Gulf War. He was respected by his fellow Marines and was honored to serve with them; many saw him as a mentor.
After retirement from the Marine Corps, Jack continued to travel to the far corners of the world as a loyal employee of Colt Defense LLC.
Jack's interests in life were broad. He loved history, etymology and catching the waves. He was funny and quick-witted. He will be remembered as the southern California surfer who loved sports cars and cooking. Others will remember him as a man with five cats, to many an exemplary Marine and at the end, one who found enjoyment hunting in Namibia.
While Jack never neglected to spoil his cats, his family always came first and they will remember him foremost as a fun-loving, bigger-than-life, sensitive and kind-hearted man, underneath a hard shell. Ever the vigilant protector, he was always watching out for his loved ones. He was a devoted husband to his wife for 41 years, a loving and caring dad to his daughters and affectionately called "Bubba" by the two latest joys of his life, his grandchildren. Jack knew that he was abundantly blessed.
Jack was preceded in death by his loving parents, John and Irene Grajeweski Muth of San Diego. He will be deeply missed by his steadfast wife, Coleen, of Swansboro, N.C., daughter Melinda and son-in-law, Matthew May, of Fredericksburg, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law, Christopher Stojanowski, along with grandchildren Ethan and Eowyn, all of Laveen, Ariz.; sister Melissa and brother-in-law, Glenn Janssen, of El Cajon, Calif., and sister Katherine Muth of San Diego; his mother-in-law, Clara Louise Baker of Stow, Ohio; sister-in-law Connie and brother-in-law William Mamas of Hudson, Ohio; nieces Brenda Walsh and Erika Janssen; and nephews Troy and Brian Mamas. He will also be fondly remembered by his many friends, made near and far.
In honor of Jack's long record of service to this country, a funeral and burial with full military honors will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.
Memorial donations can be made in Jack's name to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund or the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Private electronic condolences may be left for the family at muthfam@