Andrés Guillermo Muñoz

Andrés Guillermo Muñoz, lovingly known as Dad, Granddad, Peepaw, and Pon Pon, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2026, at the age of 76, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply.

Born on August 2, 1949, in Fresno, California, Andrés made Austin, Texas his home beginning in 1974. A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Army and later in the Air Force Reserve. Following his military service, he dedicated 34 years of his career to serving fellow veterans as a programmer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he met many lifelong friends.

While Andrés was proud of his service and career, his greatest accomplishment was his family.

On April 24, 1989, he married the love of his life, Kay, whom he affectionately called “Pookie.” Their story began at a soccer game, where they met through their sons, and together they built a blended family rooted in love and laughter.

To know Andrés was to know joy. He moved through life with an unforgettable smile, open heart, and an unwavering devotion to the people he loved. He never missed a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or milestone. Joy, for Andres, lived in the everyday moments: a road trip with Pookie, a baby sleeping on his chest, a camera in his hands, a day at the beach, a family gathering, a Chick-fil-A deluxe sandwich or a Dan's hamburger. He had a way of grounding even the simplest moments in meaning, making them feel important.

He was the family historian, photographer, and keeper of memories. Rarely seen without his Canon, he documented every gathering, celebration, and moment in between. He faithfully maintained family files for each child and grandchild, preserving photographs and stories for generations to come. His family often joked that no photo was safe from being added to the collection or posted to Facebook, whether you approved of it or not. He dedicated time in retirement to tracing the roots of his family to a tree over 2600 members strong, often connecting lines that had been long forgotten.

Traveling was one of Andres' greatest passions. During his military service he was stationed in Germany and visited Japan. As a retiree, he explored Ireland, Italy, and Canada, always with a carefully planned itinerary and his camera in hand. He preferred to be behind the wheel whenever possible, believing the journey was just as meaningful as the destination. These adventures took Kay and him across the United States and Mexico. Every mile was thoughtfully mapped out, though his family will tell you that not every trip went according to plan. The infamous road trip to California with his newly blended family during the summer of ’89 lives on in the memories of six flat tires, a septic leak in Malibu, nearly losing the boys in the Grand Canyon, and a soccer injury that required Kay to drive the RV the entire way back to Texas.

When his children were young, he never missed an opportunity to support their passions in sports, school, and life. As grandchildren arrived, so did new traditions. He proudly attended Veterans Day celebrations at their schools, shared beach days and trips to Schlitterbahn, hosted sleepovers on air mattresses, and turned ordinary afternoons into treasured memories with wheelbarrow "pools" and backyard splash pads. To his grandchildren, he wasn't just Peepaw or Pon Pon; he was the person who showed up, time and time again, making everyone feel special. And if there was only one ice cream sandwich left, there was a good chance he would share it.

Some of his fondest memories were made alongside his beloved wife, Kay. Together, they enjoyed annual trips to Port Aransas, where he found peace by the water and delight in watching the birds along the shore. He had a special love for pelicans. They also looked forward each year to spring training trips to Arizona, cheering on their favorite Texas Rangers before the start of each season.

At home, Andres was both creator and craftsman. A gifted do-it-yourselfer, he could transform spaces with time, determination, and a stack of tile. His and Pookie's home reflects his creativity, patience, and belief that nearly anything could be built or improved with effort and care. He also took great pride in his beloved saguaro cactus and could always share exactly how much it had grown. He was also an enthusiastic birdwatcher and enjoyed photographing the visiting cardinals, painted buntings and owls.

Among the many things Andrés loved, few brought him more joy than his Friday morning breakfasts with his “Taco Friends” at Habanero's. What began as a gathering of coworkers during his years at the VA became a decades-long tradition that continued through retirement. Every Friday at 7 am, they met for tacos, coffee, conversation, and laughter. Those Friday mornings became one of the steady rhythms of his life, evidence of how much friendship, conversation, and showing up mattered to him.

Andreés had a gift for making people feel seen. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, holidays were always remembered. If you were part of his life, he found a way to make sure you knew it. Sometimes it came in the form of a handwritten card in his unmistakable calligraphy. Sometimes it was a voicemail asking you to call him back. Sometimes it was a photograph you didn't know he had taken until years later.

His favorite saying passed from his own mother to him, “This too shall pass,” reflected the quiet strength and perspective that guided him throughout his life. It was a comforting reminder to persevere, not let life's challenges become insurmountable, and not take yourself too seriously.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guillermo and Blanca Julieta Muñoz. He is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Kay Muñoz; his children, Andrés “Andy” Muñoz Jr. and wife Jewel, Anthony Muñoz, Annalee Nguyen and husband John, and David Whitefield and wife Carisa; Melissa Bridwell; his grandchildren, Marissa Owen and husband Preston, Anthony Muñoz Jr. and wife Natalia, Mateo Muñoz, Mia Muñoz, Madison Muñoz, Luke Nguyen, and Kate Nguyen; his great-grandchildren, Everleigh Owen, Bennett Owen, and Easton Muñoz; his sister, Madeline Muñoz; his nephew, Nick Muñoz; and a host of dear extended family members.

In addition to his family, Andrés leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, neighbors, workout partners, fellow veterans, and loved ones whose lives were made brighter by his kindness, humor, and unwavering ability to make people feel seen, valued, and loved.

The family invites all who knew and loved Andrés to join them for a Funeral Mass celebrating his life on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Mary Cathedral in Austin, Texas. All are welcome to join the family in a gathering immediately following the Mass in the Bishop’s Hall at Saint Mary's.

Andrés spent a lifetime showing up for his country, his friends, and most importantly, his family. He dedicated his life to preserving people and moments, ensuring neither were forgotten. Though his family grieves his absence, they find comfort in knowing that the love he gave so freely lives on in the generations he helped shape. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the memories he preserved, and the generations who will continue telling his story for years to come.