James "Jamie" Ryan Munden

James "Jamie" Ryan Munden, 24, of Prague, Czech Republic, entered into eternal rest Saturday, March 18, 2017. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, March 31, 2017 in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 at 10:00 a.m. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 30, 2017 in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Jamie was born in Charleston, SC, July 28, 1992, and was a 2010 graduate of Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, and a 2014 graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO, where he double majored in Environmental Sciences and Geography. Jamie met Tereza in Austin, Texas, where she was studying abroad. Their story is a true love story; their first date was to be a 2 hour coffee meeting, but it lasted 4 days. A few months later when she went to Santiago, Chile, for a second semester abroad, he followed her and thus began their many adventures. Jamie taught English at the Colegio San Francisco de Paine School. The children and teachers loved him. A number of friends, teachers, and colleagues from Chile have sent beautiful messages about how much he meant to them. Upon returning to Houston from Chile, he announced he was moving to Prague. We knew it was because of Tereza, and we could not have been happier for them. True to his spirit, Tereza's parents loved Jamie like a son and were thrilled for him to be a part of their family. She says that Jamie is the first boyfriend of hers that her father liked. Recently, they had been making plans for their permanent life in Prague where Tereza is studying at the University of Economics, Prague, and Jamie had been accepted into the Masters of Business program in Prague. Jamie had been completing an internship at Bell Helicopters and was teaching English and doing translation work for several schools and businesses. Most important, they were planning a trip to Asia this summer to continue their love of travel and exploring the world, which allowed many of us to vicariously live through their adventures.

Jamie touched many people throughout his life as evident of the numerous emails, Facebook posts, messages and phone calls from everyone. People have commented on his acceptance and willingness to be friends regardless of their faults or flaws. He helped many through their struggles with life. He was especially good with children and gravitated toward them to provide comfort, advice, English lessons or just to have fun. He was a kind and gentle soul with a massive heart and always willing to listen and lend a hand. The extent of his friendship with so many is best exemplified by the comment of his best friend in Prague, Nick who said "Jamie is the friend that I always wanted to have".

Music was a huge part of Jamie's life and he was an accomplished guitarist. Many friends commented he introduced them to music that they would never have heard and that they continue to enjoy to this day. He enjoyed going to live concerts with friends, discovering new artists and writing and composing songs..
Those who knew Jamie also knew he had his own time clock. He was terminally late to many events but that sheepish smile upon his arrival would melt your heart.

Jamie enjoyed all types of sports and outdoor activities especially soccer, golf, swimming, basketball, snowboarding and kick boxing. He was an accomplished high school golfer and was on the Clements High School varsity golf team that was the District and Regionals champions in 2010. He was proud that a number of his teammates and competitors are playing on various professional tours.

Life was a constant adventure for Jamie, and he lived it far more than many of us. He touched a lot of people, was loved and loved others. We are all blessed to have him in our lives. He leaves an enduring legacy of how to enjoy and love life.

Jamie is survived by his parents, Martha Mappus Munden and Reggie Munden; his brother, Brandon Munden and Brandon's fiancée, Jenny Nudell of Chicago, IL; the love of his life, Tereza Markova′ of Jevíčko, Prague and his grandmothers, Virginia Mappus of Charleston, SC and Sara Munden of Myrtle Beach, SC. He was predeceased in death by his grandfathers, William B. Munden, III formerly of Orangeburg, SC and Edward R. Mappus formerly of Charleston, SC. Other family members he is survived by include Martha's sisters and their spouses, Janet and Bob Stribling, Dianne and Chuck Blixt of Winston Salem, NC and Reggie's siblings and their spouses, Mike and Robbie Munden of Myrtle Beach, SC and Pat and Bruce Bennett of Charleston, SC and his many cousins on both sides of the family from all over South Carolina and North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family request consideration of a donation in his name to a charity of one's choice for children, the environment or animals.