Albert Clay Munnerlyn

Albert Clay Munnerlyn was born on October 29, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Henry Clay and Elizabeth (Evans) Munnerlyn. A graduate of East High School in Columbus, he attended Cooper School of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young child and throughout his life, Albert looked to the skies, always fascinated with everything to do with planes and aviation. He possessed a love for art and a natural talent for understanding the workings of mechanical devices. In 1947, Albert joined the US Air Force, serving as a member of the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps known as the Tuskegee Airmen He successfully breached the ‘color barrier’ with his commission to be trained as the first African American jet aircraft mechanic in the United States and possibly the world. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal in 1950. After leaving the Air Force, Albert relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. He met Lillian Yoshiko Jingo Honolulu, Hawaii and they wed in 1953. To that union were born four children; Rachel Ann, Nancy Natsu, Elizabeth and Clay Ichiro. Lillian passed away in February of 1967 at the age of 35 years old. From 1968 to 1971, Albert was married to Margaret Malinak Dennis of Cleveland, Ohio. In July of 1978, Albert married his present wife, partner and companion of 33 years, Mary Louise Thibault of Buffalo, New York. Albert was employed at several private airline companies and rose to the unprecedented rank of maintenance supervisor for Beckett Aviation. He began working for the City of Cleveland at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in 1968 as the night supervisor of City Operations in charge of all facilities, safety and security management, as well as Equal Employment Opportunity implementation and enforcement. He was appointed first the assistant and then the acting director of airport operations by the mayor of Cleveland. George Voinovich, the Mayor of Cleveland declared August 17, 1989 “Albert Munnerlyn Day” in recognition of his exemplary service to the City of Cleveland. He retired in 1989 as the first African American (Acting) Airport Director in the United States. His entrepreneurial endeavors were numerous, included owning/operating a trucking company, a laundromat and owning/managing rental properties in Cleveland, Buffalo and Columbus up until the day of his transition. Albert loved traveling and camping so much that he shipped his RV overseas to Europe in order experience other countries and cultures for extended periods of time. Most of all, Albert loved spending time with his family. He is predeceased by his mother and father, brother, William and 1st wife Lillian Yoshiko. On Monday, September 12, 2011 Albert peacefully completed the cycle of life, leaving to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Mary Louise; daughters, Rachel Ann (David L.) Manson, Nancy Natsu (Furman) Dillard, Elizabeth Munnerlyn Emmons; son, Clay Ichiro Munnerlyn; Aunt, Constance Lucas; host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews; great nieces , great nephews, cousins, including special cousins, Johnnie Lucille Munnerlyn and Veda Norris (Warren) White, other relatives and friends including Harry (aka Baby Payne) (June Louise) Payne.