John Monroe
John Robert Monroe, Jr. of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, February 21, 2019. He was 49.
John, the son of Sharon Kline and the late John Robert Monroe Sr., was born and raised in Hermitage, Tn. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps after eight years of service, having achieved the rank of gunnery sergeant. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. Sergeant Monroe served as Marine Security Guard for President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, and President George W. Bush. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and protected U.S. embassies in Paramaribo, Brasilia, Madrid, Beijing, and finally Singapore, where he met his devoted wife, Thai.
Prior to joining the Chattanooga Police Department, Sergeant Monroe was a corrections officer for the Hamilton County Sherrif’s Department. He began his career with the Chattanooga Police Department on November 6, 1998 and graduated from the CPD Academy on March 11, 1999. He served on the Highway Interdiction Team, later transferring to Bravo Team patrol in August of 2007. He was promoted to Sergeant on December 27, 2013 and transferred to Alpha Team in 2014. He transitioned to his current role of Training Sergeant in April 2015, where he shaped 13 classes of police cadets into fine officers for the City of Chattanooga. In December 2017, Mayor Andy Berke presented him with the honorable Award of Excellence.
He was a world class marksman, passionate musician, and lifelong scholar. At the time of his passing, he was enrolled in online courses at Chattanooga State pursuing a degree in psychology. He loved to read, write, and had exceptional creative talent. A son, brother, husband, father, friend, leader, mentor, coach, instructor, and counselor, he loved all people and took pride in bestowing skills and knowledge to others.
John is survived by his mother, Sharon Kline (Ben) of Greenville, SC; loving wife, Thaivanai Monroe; sons, Daniel and Michael Monroe; sisters, Amy L. Phillips (Reggie) of Charlotte, NC, and Kimberly Laboissonniere (Ryan) of Greenville, SC; half-brothers, Tyler and Jeff Monroe of Chattanooga, TN; three nieces, three nephews, and a special Aunt Sheila Lucas (Larry) of Seguin, TX.
He will be remembered by his kindness, integrity, and commitment to serving others. Semper Fi.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 11:30 a.m. at the Dallas Bay Baptist Church, 8305 Daisy Dallas Road, Hixson, with Pastor Ken Duggan officiating.
Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy along with Sgt. Monroe’s two sons, two sisters, and close friend Freddy Huey will also be speaking.
Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers will be Grover Wilson, Michael Wenger, Les Stover, Ron Zirk, Randy Raulston, Bryan Wood, Matt Balinger and Kelly Downs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Ks. 66675-8517, or to Young Life, 516-A Cherokee Blvd., Chattanooga, Tn. 37405.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. at Dallas Bay Baptist Church, 8305 Daisy Dallas Road, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.