Gilbert Munoz Obituary

Mr. Munoz was the nicest principal to this young string instrument teacher. I had high regard for him. I think he would be pleased to know that in my retirement I am coaching a middle school orchestra. As he showed us in his own life, it's important to pass it on.

Gil was my principal, friend, and mentor. In my first years of teaching, he was the guidepost who helped me navigate the eddies and currents of being a teacher of elementary children. He will always have a special place in my family's history because he was godfather to my daughter, Sarah. Gil was the first principal of King Elementary School. He deftly managed a large, talented, and strong staff of dedicated educators. His leadership was powerful, evident, but subtle. Gil, had a great sense of humor, told hilarious jokes, and might possibly have missed his true calling as a raconteur. Somehow after a story from his childhood, I knew that I should be doing "x" or starting program "y". Gil was always there to help even to the point of pulling out his wallet to get something going. He rarely told you exactly how to do something; he wasn't officious, but subtly pointing the way. Gil once told me that sure, he was the quarterback to whom the ball was snapped, but it was his job to hand the ball off to the person who would get the job done. With gratitude the mother of all virtues, I will be forever grateful the Gil was one of my first guiding lights.

I miss him and always will. A light put out to soon. Life is short and time is so precious . Kelly and Max.

Gil, or Mr. Muños as I called him then, was my fifth grade teacher and my
6th grade language teacher. One thing I know about him is that he enjoyed teaching us. He showed that by always using his sense of humor even when correcting us. He helped us feel better about ourselves even when we had done something wrong just by the way he disciplined. A special skill to have. A very special teacher.