John Thomas Munro, age 78, of Rolla, N.D. and Lake Upsilon, N.D. passed away on Monday, June 21, 2010 in his home at Lake Upsilon, N.D.

John Thomas Munro was born on June 29, 1931 in Bottineau, N.D. to Albert and Thelma (Johnson) Munro. Tom attended and graduated from Rolla High School and furthered his education at the University of Minnesota where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Tom enlisted in the United States Army in 1953, serving during the Korean Conflict where he was stationed in Japan, receiving an honorable discharge in 1955. Tom was united in marriage to Maureen Brown on October 26, 1957 in Hansboro, ND. Together they raised five children, Julie, Jeanine, Eric, Paul, and Joshua. Tom’s deep faith influenced all his life’s decisions. Tom loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending his free time with them and traveling with them. Tom enjoyed building things, hunting with the boys, to water ski and cross country ski, music and dancing, biking, gardening, especially corn, golfing, and working with the family business. He also liked to visit with anyone and everyone about anything and everything from business to politics. Tom once played the drums for the King and Queen of England in Winnipeg when he was in the 2nd grade.

He owned and operated Munro Builders Supply/True Value Hardware and Munro Contractors for many years. He also owned and operated Munro’s Theatre, Rolla Oil, T.M. Steel, and several apartment buildings. Tom was a member of and served on the Rolla Fair Committee Team, Civic Improvement (RDC), Boy Scout Assistant and Scout Master, Charter Member and one time President of the Rolla Kiwanis Club, life time member of the Rolla Fire Department, Rolla Economic Development Board and Zoning Board, North Dakota Right to Life Committee, Rolette County Park Board, Hospital Board, Lake Improvement Board, and the Fred C. Wagner American Legion. He also was instrumental on the Street Sign Committee, Commercial Club, CCD teacher at St. Joachim Catholic Church along with being a member of the church and the Knights of Columbus, started and served as President of the AIC Committee, reestablished the Hockey Club, Straw Board Committee, and helped to develop the Bulova Addition. Tom was a central part of many lives throughout the Rolla and surrounding communities. A great void will be felt by all who knew him.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Maureen Munro, of Rolla; daughters, Julie (Larry) Stanislaus of Chanute, and Jeanine Munro of Bozeman, Mont.; sons, Eric (Tamara) Munro of San Pedro, Calif., Paul (Paula) Munro of Rolla, N.D., and Joshua Munro of Bozeman, Mont.; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Sarah, Garrett, Grant, and Kate Munro, Mitchell Munro, and David Stanislaus; and a sister, Sally Harper of Fort Collins, Colo.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jerrold Munro, and brother-in-law, Richard Harper.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, June 24, 2010 in St. Joachim Catholic Church, Rolla, N.D. with a Rosary Service at 7 p.m. led by Deacon Emery Mears. Funeral Mass will be Friday, June 25, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the church with Fr. Jake Miller presiding. Burial will be in the Rolla City Cemetery, Rolla, N.D. following funeral services. A meal will follow at the Mount Pleasant School after services at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the Mount Pleasant School Foundation for the John Thomas Munro Trade School Scholarship Fund, 201 5th Street NE, Rolla, ND 58367.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, N.D., in charge of arrangements.