GARLAND - By Ellen Cook, Headliner Media Specialist, July 9, 2022
Nothing says Garland like the annual Wheelon Award, an award given annually during Garland City Days (formerly Wheat and Beet Days) to recognize members of the community who have given back through service. No one optimizes service like this year’s recipient, Josh Munns.
Josh, who enjoys living in and giving to the community he loves, is well deserving of the recognition, according to his brother, Jimmy Munns.
“He is proud of his heritage, of the place he has lived his entire life, and always will. Josh is very service-oriented and always willing to help when its needed,” Jimmy said.
That desire to give is evident in his record. In Garland City politics, Josh has served on the city’s Planning and Zoning committee, been part of the Tremonton-Garland Drainage District and served on the Garland City Council. He has also been a member of the Wheat & Beet Days Committee and even served as chauffeur for past grand marshals during the city’s annual celebration.
In the field of volunteerism, Josh ranks at the top having been a member of the Garland Fire Department since 2011 and has served, and continues serving, as a department officer. He became an EMT in 2012, which allows him to increase his ability to serve those he comes in contact with during emergency situations.
Because of his efforts along those lines, Josh was named Utah State Fireman of the Year in 2019, an honor close to Jimmy’s heart It was given in recognition of his brother’s actions in helping to save the life of Jimmy’s son, Gus (who was seven years-old at the time) after he choked on a push pin.
The presentation from the Utah State Firefighters Association states, “Due to Josh’s quick decision making and subsequent actions, Gus is alive and well today.”
“Helping others is what he does,” Jimmy simply said.
A farmer by trade, he is a family man by choice, his brother continued. “There is always something to do on the farm, but he always takes time for his kids. They are his number one priority in life.”
Josh has been married to his wife, Sharece Richardson Munns for 20 years and is the father of two children, Dylan, 17, and Daci, 14. As such, he has helped coach Little League baseball, softball and basketball. He has supported them in their 4-H and FFA activities, including being supervisor for his son’s Utah 4-H National Championship Archery team this year. In addition, he has help with the Paws for Applause 4-H Dog Club.
Add to that his years of service to Box Elder County during the fair and rodeo, being a Farmers Union board member and national delegate, as well as acting as an Honor Flight escort for a veteran and you have a highly qualified Wheelon Award winner.
“He likes helping people,” Jimmy said, “but it’s nice to be recognized for it.”
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