Mike Munkel, 58, of Martin passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Jackson Regional Hospital of liver cancer. Munkel was the general manager of Sodexho Dining Services at UTM for the past 14 years.

Munkel was a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in Hotels, Restaurants, and Institutes.

He began with the food service industry in 1975 with Saga Food Service, which later became known as Marriott Food Service and is now known as Sodexho Food Service. His first job was at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. He then worked for Carlton College, Creighton University, Western Illinois University, Pine Ridge Job Corps, Arapahoe Community College, Fort Hays State University, Riverside Hotel and Casino, Princeton University, and the UTM, at all he worked with food service.

Munkel is survived by his wife, Pat Munkel; their son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Robin, of Huntersville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Jennifer Eubanks, Kayla Munkel and Savannah Munkel; one sister, Beverly McCartney, of Juliet, Wyo.; and his parents, Jene and Edna Munkel, of Limesprings, Iowa.

“He was a man who had his heart in the right place,” said Roetta McCutchen, Sodexho’s office administrator. He enjoyed being involved with the community and helping others. He helped with Camp Celebration in Memphis for nine years; he was involved with numerous projects with We Care such as Sodexho’s annual Stocking Stuffer Drive, and did many ministries with his church, St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Martin.

During his life, Munkel received many awards for various events. Recently he received the Sodexho Service Award, Spirit of Sodexho Award, and The Love Community Service Award.

Munkel will be greatly missed but his memories will continue. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the “Mike Munkel Second Chance Scholarship Fund” to benefit students who are re-enrolling at the university. Those donations can be sent to the Office of Development, 328 Hall-Moody Administration Building, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238.

A “Celebration of Life “ for Munkel will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, in the cafeteria at 2 p.m. All faculty, staff, students, and friends are invited to attend.

Steve Vantrease, a good friend of Munkel, said, “Mike was a tremendous friend and cared about the campus as much as he cared about his own family. He was a servant to the campus and had mutual respect and care for it. He will be greatly missed by all.”

Related: Editorial: UTM loses a legend, supporter of students and athletics

University Relations

“As you may have heard me say a time or two, it was a company that moved me to Tennessee, but it was the grace of God that took me to Martin ... I love you all.”

— Mike Munkel, 1947 - 2005