Richard Jarratt Monahan

Richard Jarratt Monahan went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2017. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on February 24, 1937. He was a 1955 graduate of Alamo Heights High School. Jarratt had the kindest soul and amazing sense of humor. He never thought twice about graciously lending a helping hand. He lived a very interesting and fulfilling life. In the '60s, his late brother John and he built a helicopter from surplus parts and taught themselves to fly. They both went on to get their pilot's license and sprayed crops with the helicopter while keeping their "other" jobs. After several years, Jarratt opened his own business (R.J. Monahan Helicopter Service, Inc.) behind the Wetmore store. He did maintenance on helicopters and charter work. His company was hired to fly the KTSA Safety Bird and the KONO Kopter flying police over the San Antonio area broadcasting traffic reports mornings and afternoons. He was one of the first to herd cattle for ranchers in South Texas using the helicopter. He was hired in the late '60s to travel to Zihuatanejo to look for minerals up in the mountains of Mexico. During that trip, he was asked by the Mexican Federales to fly a murderer to a nearby town which could only be reached by helicopter. He was awarded the Respect for Law Medallion in 1968 for aiding police via helicopter in the capture of four bank robbery suspects. He worked on the DPS helicopters throughout the State of Texas for more than 20 years. He delivered Santa many times via helicopter to various locations throughout the city. In the '70s, his friends and he built a new hangar in Bulverde, Texas, and shortly thereafter built a home, where he raised his family. He was part of multiple local organizations, such as Bulverde Lion's Club, Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department, Bulverde Community Center, Bulverde Little League sponsor, etc. In 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded him with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. Jarratt enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hunting, caring for his pecan orchard and his dog Ranger, raising his cattle and being a constant companion to his beloved dog Nacho.

Jarratt is preceded in death by his parents, John Francis Monahan and Eloise Allison Monahan; his brother, John Francis Monahan, Jr.; and sister, Rosalyn Janovsky. Jarratt is survived by his two loving children, Robert Monahan and Debbie Monahan Longoria and husband Joe; five grandchildren, Ryan Monahan and wife Cassie, Jordan Longoria, Kyle Monahan, Brittany Longoria and Cory Monahan; one great-grandson, Braydon Neptune; and his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Linda Monahan.

A celebration of Jarratt's life and cremation ceremony will be held at the place he loved the most, "The Shop" (R.J. Monahan Helicopter Service), 2051 Obst Road, Bulverde, Texas, on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and/or American Lung Association.