Celebrating the life of
Lt. General Lewis Leo Mundell
September 06, 1910 - July 01, 2007
Lt. General Lewis L. Mundell
Lieutenant General Lewis Leo Mundell, United States Air Force Retired, of Savannah, age 96, died Sunday, July 1, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Ordway, Colorado on September 6, 1910, General Mundell graduated with honors from the University of Colorado in 1932 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1933, receiving his pilot wings in 1934. He met and married his wife, the late Elsie L. Mundell, while stationed at Hickan Air Force Base in Hawaii in 1939. During World War II he was assigned to the U.S. Military Mission in Moscow and to Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Air Forces, Europe. He was a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1941, and took the Advanced Management Course of the Graduate School of Business at Harvard University in 1955.
During his military career, General Mundell served at times as the commander of Spain Air Material Area, Madrid, Spain; Southern Air Material Area Europe, Nouasseur Air Base, Morocco; Kelly Air Force Base, Texas; Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. A command pilot, he became vice commander of Air Force Logistics Command in 1965, and became the Air Force member, Joint Logistics Review Group, in 1969. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.
Following an assignment at the Pentagon, General Mundell and his lovely wife initially retired in Arlington, Virginia, ending his 38 years of active duty service. In 1982, they moved to Savannah to join their son, USAFR Major Lee C. Mundell, and daughter-in-law who practice law here. They restored a gracious home in the Historic District, where they entertained many dear friends. General Mundell became a member of the Oglethorpe Club, and served on the Chatham County Clean Air Commission. He and his wife assisted with the care of their twin grandchildren in their home, devoting their golden years to that endeavor and to completing their world travels by visiting Bermuda; South America; the Middle East, including Petra; Poland; and Russia. He was a devoted Grandfather, father, and husband. Up until his week long hospitalization, General Mundell was still working, writing memoirs and anecdotes of history for his family.
General Mundell is survived by his son, Lee Carter Mundell; his daughter-in-law, Melissa Stebbins Mundell; and his two grandchildren, Sarah Emmaline Mundell a student at Oberlin College, and Lee Carter Mundell, Jr. a student at the University of Chicago.
Private graveside services will be held in Darien, Georgia.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Home, Hodgson Chapel
Lee, Just to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It seems only yesterday that your father and I were sitting in the conference room at the Savannah Bank and Trust taking care of the financial and legal transactions necessary in his purchase of 213 E. Hall. Regards, Tommy Thomas C. Anderson, Jr. 322 W. 57th St., Apt. 49N New York, NY 10019
- Tommy Anderson, New York, NY
Never was a finer Officer and gentleman, his dedication and expertise has made a major conytrivution to the USAF.
- William .E. Mccullough, Columbia, SC
Dear Elsie. My heart goes out to you at the loss of a great soldier and friend.I shall always treasure your kindnes to me on the loss of ZuZu. Dick
- Dick Stewart, Savannah, GA
My father described your father as a fine office and gentleman who went by the book. Occassionally my father, William McCullough, was called to explain himself to your dad. Momma and Daddy were social with your parents in England and were able to visit with them here in Sav.once. My father spoke of your dad with respect and fondness and always a smile on his face when thinking about the adventures. Men like your father are rare and he will missed. My sincere condolences, Betsy Stewart
- BETSY STEWART, SAVANNAH, GA
It has been a pleasure knowing General Mundell over the years. I know he will be sorely missed. With my sincere sympathy, John A.
- John Aubrey Brown, Savannah, GA
Our sincerest condolences on your loss of such a fine man. We worked keeping the General's elevator running for quite a few years. To work with him was such a pleasure. He will be missed by all who knew him.
- Ron and Carolyn Beebe, Atlantic Coast Elevator, Inc., Savannah, GA
Lee, Just to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It seems only yesterday that your father and I were sitting in the conference room at the Savannah Bank and Trust taking care of the financial and legal transactions necessary in his purchase of 213 E. Hall. Regards, Tommy Thomas C. Anderson, Jr. 322 W. 57th St., Apt. 49N New York, NY 10019
- Tommy Anderson, New York, NY
Never was a finer Officer and gentleman, his dedication and expertise has made a major conytrivution to the USAF.
- William .E. Mccullough, Columbia, SC
Dear Elsie. My heart goes out to you at the loss of a great soldier and friend.I shall always treasure your kindnes to me on the loss of ZuZu. Dick
- Dick Stewart, Savannah, GA
My father described your father as a fine office and gentleman who went by the book. Occassionally my father, William McCullough, was called to explain himself to your dad. Momma and Daddy were social with your parents in England and were able to visit with them here in Sav.once. My father spoke of your dad with respect and fondness and always a smile on his face when thinking about the adventures. Men like your father are rare and he will missed. My sincere condolences, Betsy Stewart
- BETSY STEWART, SAVANNAH, GA
It has been a pleasure knowing General Mundell over the years. I know he will be sorely missed. With my sincere sympathy, John A.
- John Aubrey Brown, Savannah, GA
Our sincerest condolences on your loss of such a fine man. We worked keeping the General's elevator running for quite a few years. To work with him was such a pleasure. He will be missed by all who knew him.
- Ron and Carolyn Beebe, Atlantic Coast Elevator, Inc., Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
