John Paul Monroe

John Paul Monroe, 93, a resident of Jackson, MS for 89 years passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 20, 2015. He was born March 15, 1922 in D'lo, MS, but lived his youth and adult life in Jackson, MS. After graduating from Central High School he went to work for the General Electric Plant in Jackson, MS where he served as a machinist mechanic. During this time he met and began dating the love of his life, Arthurine Stringer. On October 15, 1942 he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces. He served as an airplane mechanic gunner during WWII. During his service he was wounded by enemy ground fire while on a flying mission over Italy. He received the distinguished Purple Heart. When he was restationed back in the United States he married his sweetheart, Arthurine, September 27, 1945. It was truly a match made in Heaven. He concluded his military service, October 16, 1945 as a Staff Sergeant. After returning home he went back to work for General Electric in Jackson, MS and remained with them until his retirement. He and his devoted wife remained in love and inseparable for 52 years until she passed away in 1997. They did everything together including traveling the country on family vacations. In retirement they started up and owned their own antique business, Monroe's Antiques. He was devoted to God where he was one of the charter members of Midway Baptist Church. He served in various positions; Sunday School teacher, deacon, building committee and other duties as requested. He later changed his membership to Parkway Baptist Church in the early 2000's. He taught Sunday School Class up to his passing. He was a devoted, loving, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. To know him was to love him. He possessed a sense of humor which he will be so fondly remembered. Even towards the end of his life he was not defined by age. Whenever in the presence of children, he became the biggest kid of all. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, John Henry Monroe and Velma Hatten Monroe; his loving wife, Arthurine Stringer Monroe; brothers, Robert Monroe, Herbert Monroe, both of Jackson, MS, Quentin Monroe of Lone Pine, CA and Sam Monroe of Charlotte, NC; sisters, Mildred Monroe Jones and Paulene Monroe Horne (his twin sister), both of Jackson, MS and Maude Monroe Rust of Fayetteville, GA. He is survived by his two sons, John Paul Monroe, Jr. and James Wayne Monroe and his wife, Debbie, all from Clinton, MS; three granddaughters, Kathleen Michelle Zaleski and husband, Shane, of Union, OH, Amanda Brooke Monroe of Pearl, MS and Heather Nicole Monroe of Clinton, MS; one grandson, James Wayne Monroe, Jr. (Jayme) of Clinton, MS; three great-granddaughters, Riley Kathryn and Abigail Mae Zaleski, both from Union, OH and Brooklyn Shea Monroe of Clinton, MS; one great-grandson, Braydon Luke Monroe of Clinton, MS; one sister, Lois Monroe Williams of Clinton, MS. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and many other extended family members and great friends. Visitation will be held at Lakewood Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 24, 2014 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Wednesday, March 25 beginning at 1 p.m. The service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 2 p.m. in Lakewood Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ken Anderson officiating. Interment will follow across the street in Lakewood Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Jayme Monroe of Clinton, MS, Ron Horne of Brandon, MS, Ottis Horne of Arlington, TX, Ken Stringer of Decatur, MS, Jerry Watts and Tony Polk, both from Columbia, MS. Honorary pallbearers include John Paul Jones of Jackson, MS, Jackie Pickens of Vicksburg, MS, Mike Watts and Coy Wayne Bell, both from Columbia, MS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Paul Monroe to Parkway Baptist Church, P.O. Box 65, Clinton, MS 39060, www.pbcclinton.org, 601-924-9912.