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Ralph passed away on
September 4, 2011, at 12:45 a.m. while in Gulfport Memorial Hospital.
Ralph had a lung transplant three years ago and his body started rejecting
it several months ago. He fought a long hard battle and now he is no longer
suffering.
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Entry from wife JoAnn - December 30, 2008:
As some of you know in
November, 2007, Ralph was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung
disease. He has a good friend that works at the University of Alabama
hospital in Birmingham and he referred us to a good lung doctor for
treatment. The doctor's recommendation was a lung transplant. After much
testing a temporary move to Birmingham to wait for a compatible donor, Ralph
received a lung transplant in September, 2008. He made remarkable progress
and we were back home in October when he had a mishap and pulled his inside
stitches loose. He had a second surgery on December 4th to repair and redo
the stitches. He is dealing with a lot of pain and swelling this time around
but we are hoping this too shall pass. It is back to Birmingham January 6th
in hopes of having all the staples/stitches removed then returning home and
getting or lives back on track. Birmingham will be our second home for a few
years as he will be constantly checked for lung rejection. On the bright
side we enjoy our home and spending time with our children, grandchildren,
and friends. JoAnn
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Ralph David Munghia
September 29, 1942 – September 4, 2011
Ralph David Munghia, age 68, of Saucier, passed away on Sunday, September 4,
2011, due to complications from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
He was born in Santa Barbara, Honduras, Central America, to his parents,
Myriam Jesus Herrington and Rafael Hernandez Munghia.
Ralph moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, with his mother at the age of 12, and
attended Gulfport High School. After high school, Ralph joined the navy,
where he became a member of Seal Team 1, while serving in the Vietnam War.
He retired from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems as an Electrical Engineering
Supervisor after 35 years of employment.
Ralph was an avid target shooter and master gunsmith. He was a “Life
Member” of the National Rifle Association, a member of the Coast Rifle and
Pistol Club and could often be found at the rifle range competing against
his closest friends. He was also a founding member of the Pascagoula DCM
shooting club, where he competed in high-power target matches.
Ralph is survived by his dedicated and devoted wife of 40 years, JoAnn
Munghia; his sisters, Hilda Caballero, Lucia Munguia, and Norman (Derrick)
Charbonnet; a stepdaughter, Shelby Rossman; his children, Don Bell, Theresa
Bell, David (Tonya) Munghia; and six grandchildren, Arynn Bell, Austin Bell,
Melissa Bell, Chelsea Williams, Hannah Munghia, and Taylor Munghia. He also
leaves behind his beloved pug, “Sammie.”
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until
7:00p.m. followed by a memorial service at 7 pm at Riemann Family Funeral
Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport. A private family interment will
be held at the National Cemetery in Biloxi on September 9, 2011.
The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the staff of
University of Alabama at Birmingham, where Ralph received his lung
transplant, and to the unknown organ donor from which the lung was provided.
Tributes may be shared at
www.riemannfamil.com. |
