Fred Monroe, Jr. Obituary

Funeral services for Fred Monroe, 79, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 11:00A.M., Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Rd. with Rev. Johnny Albright officiating. Interment will follow at NELA Veterans Cemetery, Rayville, LA. Visitation will be from 5:00P.M.- 7:00P.M., Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Fred Monroe passed away on January 10, 2026 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of service, generosity and joyful living. He was the epitome of a cheerful giver.

Fred’s commitment to character and leadership began early as a member of the Boy Scouts of America, following in his father’s footsteps who was an Eagle Scout, a distinction he carried with pride throughout his life. He graduated from Ouachita Parish High School, where he was known as the fastest sprinter in the district in the 100-yard dash. He later enrolled at Northeast Louisiana State College and joined the U.S. Naval Reserve before continuing his service in the United States Air Force. Fred was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1972 and is a Vietnam veteran. His service was recognized with the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, among many others.

After his military service, Fred returned to Northeast Louisiana University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 1974, subsequently obtaining his CPA certificate. Fred began his career with Luffey, Little & Company, and subsequently became a partner in what would become Luffey, Huffman & Monroe, CPA firm in 1974, where he built a respected career marked by integrity and dedication. He retired from the firm in 2008 but continued serving clients independently, valuing personal relationships above all.

Fred was deeply involved in this community he loved so dearly. His civic service included involvement with the Jaycees, serving on the board of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, and a long-standing supporter of the Ouachita Council on Aging, where he faithfully attended the annual Shindig fundraiser —always insisting on a table on the dance floor. He served on MedCamps of Louisiana board of directors as treasurer and later chairman of the board, giving six years of devoted leadership. He was also a founding member of the Twin City Longbeards, a local affiliate of the National Turkey Federation, where he served as secretary and treasurer, helping deliver turkeys to the Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe each Thanksgiving and supporting local charities through volunteerism and funding. The friendships he fostered throughout his time with the Longbeards remain strong to this day, especially with Jarrod Sellar.

Fred’s faith guided his life and service. He served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Monroe and Graceminster Presbyterian Church and was also treasurer at Graceminster. Most recently, he enthusiastically served as treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, where he not only contributed his financial expertise but also worked hands-on building and maintaining those homes. He was an advocate for the homeowners. He was also a member of the Union Parish Hunting Club but most recently, he’s been a member of the Redden Creek Hunting Club for a number of years, having played a heavy role in their annual crawfish boil. He and his hunting buddies enjoyed their involvement in LA Hunters for Heroes, which was fitting for Fred.

A mentor at heart, Fred took great pride in encouraging younger generations in service and leadership roles. He was instrumental in inspiring a lifelong commitment to charity work in his stepdaughter Lacy, supporting and building whatever was needed for the Race for the Cure for many years, or any other charity she asked him for help with.

Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing, working in his yard, tinkering on his boats, and tackling handyman projects. He was a DIYer and loved building meaningful items for family and friends, including perfectly aligned wooden blocks for his granddaughter Gabby’s nativity-set fundraiser for a local child battling cancer. He was famous for his pecan pie and fried turkeys. A holiday couldn’t be had without these two critical components, courtesy of Papa. He also had a kinship and love for Jack Daniels, so much so that his friends joke that the brand will feel his absence in terms of its bottom line (a company’s bottom line was something Fred was all too familiar with). His most favorite past time was dancing with his beloved wife, Alice, or anyone willing to join him on the dance floor. He was truly the life of every party and the person you enjoyed spending special occasions with.

Fred treasured his wife, Alice. For 26 years, their marriage was a testament to enduring love and partnership. Together they built a home filled with laughter, cooking, gardening, music from their jukebox, and endless dancing. His devotion to Alice was evident in every quiet moment and every celebration, grounded in deep respect, forgiveness and shared hard work. Fred and Alice’s love for dancing led them and their kids to purchase GG’s Dance Club, upon GG Shinn’s retirement, in the early 2000s. They changed the name to Delta Rhythms, providing live music to the 30+ crowd. This family venture allowed Fred to do three things he loved the most: endlessly talking to people, listening to great music and last but not least, dancing.

He was a proud father to Melanie Monroe and Jeffery Monroe (Cherie), and a loving stepfather to Charles Trichel and Lacy Miletello (Scott). Fred remained very close to his former daughter-in-law Amy Albright Jones and former son-in-law Daniel McCarthy. Fred and Jeff began a tradition some years back by attending a Saints and/or LSU game every season, at which many laughs were had and memories made. To his grandchildren, Taylor Ford, Sarah and Caroline Trichel, and John Clay and Gabby McCarthy, he was lovingly known as “Papa,” which was a role he embraced with tenderness, pride, and utter selflessness. He also cherished his “adopted” daughter and granddaughter, Anna Arnold and Isabelle Coston. The greatest gift he gave to all of them was his time, and never was a time when he told his grandkids no. He didn’t have that word in his vocabulary when it came to his grandkids, or anyone else for that matter.

His family circle would not be complete without his faithful companion, his German Shephard Reign, whose loyalty and presence brought him comfort and joy. Special thanks to Reign’s friend and “handler”, Jimmy Marlow.

Fred's family would like to extend a warm thanks to the staff at St. Francis who have become like family over the past few weeks: Katie Harper, Dr. Katie Howell, Dr. Matthew Raley, Whitney McGrew, Emma Loyless, Madison Frazier, Jenny Newman, Dr. Louie Crook, Robin Booth, Dra Smith, Nikki Paschall, and Dr. Benji Moorhead. Jenny was his actual “lifesaver” in the ER. And a special thanks to his long time doctors: Dr. Keith Calhoun, Dr. Michael Hayward and Dr. Mark Napoli. They often reminded us how Fred was their miracle patient.

Fred will be remembered for his servant’s heart, quick smile, steady and accurate guidance, feistiness, and the joy he brought to every room he danced into. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the homes he helped build, and the countless acts of kindness done quietly and faithfully along the way.

Mr. Fred is predeceased in death by, His parents, Louis Frederick Monroe, Sr. and June Judy Monroe.

Sister, Barbara Monroe Lee (Bobby); Brothers in Laws, Edwin Blackwell and Dannye Parks (Sharon) and Nephew, Dr. Les Tarver.

Other surviving family members are, Cousin (more like a sister), Sharron Monroe Thomas (Jerry), Brothers in law: Bob Parks (Beverly), Mike Parks (Sandra), Randy Parks (Brenda), Sisters in law: Annie Joe Blackwell, Bobbye Faye McCurley, Vicky Creighton (Les), Niece: Denise Hill (Tank), Numerous great nephews/nieces, Barbara Reid Monroe (mother of Jeff and Melanie).

Pallbearers will be John Clay McCarthy, Daniel McCarthy. Jarrod Sellar, Mike Venable, Martin May, Chris Greer, Jeromy Pruitt, and Mickey Mayeaux.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim Lockhart, Ronnie Hopkins, Jimmy Sanderlin, Tom Bryant, Ronnie Rogers, and Bobby Bentz.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude, MedCamps, Wounded Warriors, La Cancer Foundation, or Everett’s Light Foundation.