Gene Irvin Monroe Sr.

He served in the Army for two years from 1958 to 1960. Gene married Carol Sue Robbins in 1960.

Throughout his life, he demonstrated remarkable versatility and work ethic across numerous professions. Beginning as a young paperboy, Gene learned the value of responsibility early on. As a youth, he served the community at Cas Walker grocery in Knoxville, Tennessee. His professional journey later included time with Halliburton Oil Field & Trucking and the Nabisco facility in Ohio. He distinguished himself in various construction roles, where he developed expert craftsmanship and became a master carpenter. In his later career, he provided dedicated service as a security guard for R&L Carriers. Gene's diverse professional experiences reflected his many skills, and commitment to hard work throughout his life. Most treasured of all was his role as Dad and Papaw. He poured his heart into loving his ten children, fifteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. When not working, he could always be found creating precious memories with his children—organizing picnics at the park or taking them swimming.

During their time in Ohio with his oldest children, which included two sets of twins, Gene established family traditions at Baria Park, Lake Erie, and The Cleveland Zoo. After returning to Tennessee, he delighted in taking his children to swim at The Wye and picnic in Cades Cove and Concord Park.

Fishing expeditions were woven throughout these years—teaching his children how to craft cane fishing poles, the virtues of patience and quiet observation, and the simple joy of skipping rocks across the water. With his large family, football games were never far away, almost as if they had their own team.

His childlike energy, remarkable strength, and vibrant presence made him the heart of every gathering. Gene consistently taught his children to be resilient and to face life's challenges with humor and grace. His love was never in question, as he gave selflessly to his children, neighbors, and friends.

As the family's confidant and steadying force, he guided them through difficult times with moral clarity and unwavering faith in God. The values of love and devotion that his mother Trula instilled in him and his siblings, he faithfully passed on to the generations that followed.

Preceded in death by his father, James (Jim) Louis Monroe; mother, Trula Janet Hobby Monroe; brothers: Everett, Mack, Ross, & Jack Monroe and sister, Janet Monroe Lane.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carol Sue Robbins Monroe & their ten children: Deborah Gene Monroe Dunn, Rebecca Carol Monroe Mccarrell (Identical twins), Gene Irvin Monroe Jr., David Louis Monroe (Fraternal twins), Troy Dedrick Monroe, Todd Ryan Monroe Sr., Mark Steven Monroe, Kirk Brandon Monroe, Joshua Edward Monroe, Crisa Sarah Monroe Brewer Farris; sister, Anna Gay Monroe Lane;

grandchildren: Michael Watson, Holly Dunn, Randall McCarrell, Jamie Mccarrell Craig, Chad Mccarrell, David Aaron Monroe, Autumn & Summer Monroe, Jackson Monroe, Jacob Monroe, Autumn Denise Monroe, Todd Ryan Monroe Jr (Little Todd), Kimberly Nicole Monroe (aka Papaws Tweety Bird), Olivia Faith Brewer; great grandchildren: Braden, Addie, Cooper, & Remy Mccarrell. Callen, Phillip, Erin Elizabeth, & Colton Craig, Masson Mccarrell, Walter Ryan Young, James William Young, Dennis Gene Young, Lila Mary Young, Todd Irvin Young, Asher Lucas Young, Aleah Ivy Monroe (aka Papaws Butterfly), Genevieve Elowyn Dick and sister, Anna Gay Monroe Lane.

Family and friends will meet Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, TN for an 11:00 AM graveside service officiated by Drew Price.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Monroe family at www.berryfuneralhome.com