Obituary of Donald Howard Monroe

Well... Heaven IS better than Dixie... The Lord called Donald Howard Monroe home on May 4, 2016. He passed quietly and comfortably, surrounded by his loving family at his home on Enterprise Road in Lawrenceburg. He was 73 years young. Born on January 19, 1943, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to James Howard Monroe and Mattie Lou Monroe, “Don” grew up in a large family where he learned farming at an early age and it developed into his lifelong passion - He grew a garden at every place he lived. Don also loved and cared deeply for his animals, and spoke to them like they were his small children. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Don moved to Kentucky in the late 1960's and put down his roots, so to speak. He worked for National Distilley and Jim Beam in Frankfort for 36 years, and upon his retirement, went to work for Woodford County Public Schools in Versailles. Don was a extremely compassionate, very giving, exceptionally dependable, tenderhearted man, with an incredible work ethic. In addition to his jobs and gardening, over the years Don became an exceptional bricklayer whose talents are on display in numerous homes throughout Kentucky. He loved working with his hands and became widely known for his keen ability to “country” engineer almost anything. Don met the love of his life, Susan, in 1985, and for the rest of his life, they enjoyed a love that is as exceptional as it is rare. In addition to his beautiful wife, Don is survived by his three brothers, Tommy E. Monroe, of Bogue Chitto MS, Bobby J. Monroe and his wife Betty, of Huntsville AL, and Riley W. Monroe and his wife Peggy, of Huntsville AL and three children, Jim Monroe and his wife, Robin, of Port Royal Virginia, Gwen Monroe of Mississippi, and Eva Monroe Bancroft and her husband Anthony of Lawrenceburg , and 7 grandchildren. Rachael Bancroft that lived with Don and family together. Janey, Samantha, Jackson, Jessica, Jodi, Ashleigh, and 1 great-grandchild Emeri Margadonne. Don is predeceased by his father and mother. A celebration of his life will be held at his home with family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Don's name to Hospice Of The Bluegrass: 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort Ky. 40601. Saffell House Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements and condolences can be posted online at saffellHousefuneralhome.com