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Constance Elaine (McLendon)
Munch
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
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1964 The
Roar
R. L. Turner High School
Carrollton, Dallas Co., Texas
Senior Class Photo |
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BIRTH
ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. and Mrs. Richard McLendon the proud parents of
a baby girl born at St. Paul hospital, August 13. Constance Elaine is her name.
The Carrollton Chronicle, Friday, August 23, 1946 |
OBITUARY
 
THLN
is sad to learn of the passing of former board member and longtime
animal advocate, Elaine Munch.
Elaine began her career in aviation and then spent decades in marketing.
Her lifelong passion for animals brought great change to the city of
Dallas and beyond. She served on the boards of directors for Garland
Humane Society, the Humane Society of Greater Dallas, DFW Humane
Society, and Weimaraner Rescue. But she was an activist at heart:
protesting circus cruelty, puppy mills, and hunting of baby harp seals;
helping end the sale of animals from the Dallas shelter to laboratories;
and working to pass local and statewide laws protecting animals in
Texas.
In July of 2000, she and other advocates founded Metroplex Animal
Coalition (MAC), an alliance of over 50 nonprofit animal
welfare-organizations working to save as many dog and cat lives as
possible. Elaine served as President of MAC from 2000-2013. During that
time, they successfully lobbied for the first significant changes to
ordinances in decades, including mandatory spay/neuter; a ban on
tethering; improved dangerous dog ordinances; and pet limits. From
2000-2013, MAC provided 19,104 low-cost surgeries to Dallas residents in
underserved areas, convinced then Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to officially
declare February 27, 2001, as Spay Day, and became a founding partner in
the Big Fix for Big D, a 3-year, 3 million dollar spay/neuter
initiative.
She served on the City of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission from
2002-2004, helping launch a successful campaign to obtain $11.5M for
construction of a new 52,000 square foot, state-of-the-art animal
shelter to replace the City’s outdated, deteriorating, and overwhelmed
facility built in the 1950s.
On May 1, 2013, the Metroplex Animal Coalition, Dallas Animal Advocates,
and Dallas Companion Animal Project (DCAP) entered a ground-breaking
merger to continue the public advocacy and industry collaboration Elaine
was committed to. The merger brought the strength and resources of all
three organizations together, moving forward as one to continue fighting
to address the animal-related issues that resulted in the needless
deaths of so many animals in Dallas.
In the years that followed, Elaine was instrumental in creating DCAP's
metroplex-wide pet resource listing and map, lost pet network, and a
state-of-the-art online portal connecting corporate donors with animal
welfare agencies. She helped secure community-focused grants for Pets
For Life outreach and spay/neuter events and helped acquire funding for
Dallas Animal Services' first volunteer and foster program.
In 2016, THLN was lucky enough to convince Elaine to join our board as
she wasn’t really "retired…retired." Elaine used her marketing expertise
and graciously spearheaded the first and only rebranding of THLN and its
logo. It came at a pivotal time when many other animal groups began
working at the Capitol. Elaine held close ties with her elected
officials and convinced one of them to bring a controversial bill at a
time that we knew wouldn't pass, but it brought education and awareness
to dogs in Texas research facilities. Elaine helped pass numerous laws,
but including the Animal Cruelty Enhancements law in which she created a
THLN Animal Cruelty Awareness campaign that is still used today.
She was a loving wife, an avid gardener, a loyal friend, and a tireless
voice for animals. Her big smile and vibrant personality will be missed
by the many friends she made during a lifetime of activism. Our thoughts
are with her husband, Mel.
Elaine was proud of her work but never failed to recognize those around
her. "I'm part of something much bigger than myself or one group alone.
We haven't changed the world (yet), we are truly moving forward, and
what's more important - we are trying. I sleep better at night because
we are still trying...but what's most important is that we are trying on
a different level than ever before. That's why it's worth it!" |
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OBITUARY
 In Loving Memory of Constance Elaine McLendon Munch
August 13, 1946 - January 2, 2024
Constance McLendon Munch, known to her friends as Elaine, passed away peacefully
in the presence of loved ones at Hospice Dallas, TX, on January 2, 2024, at the
age of 77. She was born on August 13, 1946, to Constance Fyke McLendon and
Richard A. McLendon and spent her formative years in Carrollton, TX. She is
survived by her husband, Melvin (Mel) Munch, and his daughters, Stephanie K.
Munch and Lisa R. Atkins.
After graduation from R.L. Turner High School, Elaine attended Texas Tech, then
pursued her passion for writing and reporting by earning a degree in journalism
from University of North Texas in 1971. Elaine joined the “Texas Tip Toppers,”
in 1971, a social club for tall people to meet each other. That year, the
5'11.5" Elaine won the title of Miss Tall Texas, then advanced to win the title
of Miss Tall Universe at the 25th annual convention of Tall Clubs International
held in Seattle, WA. Learning it’s not always about tiaras, Elaine in her
capacity as Miss Tall Universe was selected Bonehead Chicken Queen and presided
over the dedication of the Boneheads Club State Fair Chicken House, October 1,
1971.
In 1972, Elaine became a flight attendant for Braniff International Airlines.
While physical attractiveness was a known part of job evaluation, less obvious
was the requirement for grace under pressure, the ability to think on your feet,
and a desire to see the world on your own terms. All qualities Elaine possessed.
Mid-1970, Elaine joined Cooper Airmotive as Public Relations Director where she
developed marketing and advertising campaigns. Under her leadership, Cooper
Airmotive expanded their national and international presence in the aviation
industry. She later worked in Communications for Mitsubishi Aviation Group and
Latimark.
Elaine joined Delta Air Lines in September 1986 where she held several customer
facing positions. It was during her time at Delta that she met and married Mel
Munch. Elaine and Mel shared a love for animals, travel, political service and
attended many live music concerts enjoying their favorite bands.
In 1997, Elaine began work in marketing communications for GTE
Telecommunications. During her career in advertising and brand management,
Elaine made significant contributions to GTE, Verizon, and Frontier
Communications. Most notably, the re-branding of Bell Atlantic and GTE assets to
the new Verizon name. Elaine wholeheartedly dedicated herself to her work and
retired in April of 2016, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and work
friendships.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Elaine had a profound love for nature
and animals. Her advocacy for animal welfare brought great change to the city of
Dallas and beyond. She served on the boards of directors for Garland Humane
Society, the Humane Society of Greater Dallas, DFW Humane Society, Barn Cats,
Inc., and Weimaraner Rescue. Elaine was an activist at heart: protesting circus
cruelty, puppy mills and hunting of baby harp seals. Elaine's efforts helped to
end the sale of animals from the Dallas shelter to laboratories and worked to
pass local and statewide laws protecting animals in Texas
Elaine recognized through her work with numerous animal groups that more could
be done by working together. In July of 2000, she helped found Metroplex Animal
Coalition (MAC), an alliance of over 50 nonprofit animal welfare-organizations
working to save as many dog and cat lives as possible. Due to Elaine’s
leadership and diligent efforts, MAC provided 19,104 low-cost animal spay/neuter
surgeries to Dallas residents in underserved areas from 2000-2013. Elaine
convinced then Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to officially declare February 27, 2001 as
Spay Day, and become a founding partner in the Big Fix for Big D, a 3-year, 3
million dollar spay/neuter initiative. Elaine served as President of MAC from
2000-2013, successfully lobbying for the first significant ordinance changes in
decades.
Elaine served on the City of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission from 2002-2004,
helping launch a successful campaign to obtain $11.5M for construction of a new
52,000 square foot, state-of-the-art animal shelter to replace the City’s
outdated, deteriorating and overwhelmed facility built in the 1950’s.
In the years that followed, Elaine was instrumental in creating DCAP’s metroplex-wide
pet resource listing and map, lost pet network, and an online portal connecting
corporate donors with animal welfare agencies.
In 2016, Elaine joined the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), where she
used her marketing expertise and graciously spearheaded the first and only
rebranding of THLN and its logo. Elaine helped pass numerous laws, including the
Animal Cruelty Enhancements law in which she created a THLN Animal Cruelty
Awareness campaign that is still used today.
Memorial markers for Elaine and those of her parents’ are located in the
historic Hilltop Memorial Park Cemetery, Carrollton, TX. Elaine leaves behind a
legacy of kindness, advocacy, and love.
Elaine was proud of her work but never failed to recognize those around her.
“I’m part of something much bigger than myself or one group alone. We haven’t
changed the world (yet), we are truly moving forward, and what’s more important
– we are trying.”
Elaine's warm smile and vibrant personality will be missed and remembered by all
who knew her. Fly high, "Too Tall." |
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