Obituary of Orval Monroe

Shorty Monroe was born to Vernon and Mabel Monroe (Fuhlendorf) on March 14, 1937 in Vona Colorado. He graduated from Vona High School in 1955. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the Marines in November of 1957. He was honorably discharged on October 27, 1961. He married JoNell Williams on July 15, 1964. JoNell brought 4 children to this union, Kirk, Kraig, Kent and Lori. Three more children were born, Rick, Lisa and Lyn. These children provided some of his greatest joys. Shorty worked for many years at the family owned Tamco where he enjoyed helping all the townspeople. He especially liked when the kids came in at Easter time for their quarters. Christmas time was extra fun when Toyland was set up in the basement. When Tamco closed he had the opportunity to open his own business, Monroe’s decorating. His next career was working for West I where he got to “tootle around the countrysideâ€? and bring home Arby’s or McDonald’s to whoever would be at the house at midnight. Word grew especially around Bethune High School that Shorty was bringing Big Macs on Saturday nights after the ball games. One of his favorite jobs was working at Co-op which was extra special because he was able to work side by side with his son Rick. He worked here for 10 years. He made several friends. Two of these friends were Mike Weber and Al Strobel. Al was always there for Shorty with a kukla and a good story to make him laugh. After Co-op he started working with NAPA where more friends were made including Kevin Burton. The coffee shop was one of his favorite places to be. Drinking coffee and keeping up with the local gossip with his coffee buddies was a favorite way to pass time. Then of course, there were the Broncos. He was an die hard Bronco’s fan, if he wasn’t watching them on TV he was watching them at Mile High Stadium One of Shorty’s great loves was kids. They just seemed to gravitate towards him from babies to teenagers. If you played at his house when you were 5 you brought your children to play with the same toys you played with. He was every child’s Grandpa. His own grandkids were his biggest joy. He loved going to their ballgames and school programs. He played bingo and cards with them and taught them songs like “here rattler hereâ€?. He also taught them how to love, laugh and fix the TV. Preceding him in death are his parents Mabel and Vernon, sisters Norma and Thelma, son Kirk, son-in-law Eddie Garcia and brother-in-law Pete Thompson. Shorty leaves to mourn his wife of 42 years JoNell, his children Kraig, Kent, Lori, Rick, (Launa), Lisa, Lyn and (Jim). His grandchildren Tyler and Ryan Nondorf, Dustin, Jordyne and Anthony Monroe, and Michael and Jeffery Garcia. He is also survived by his brother Harold and wife Lucy Monroe and brother-in-law Marvin Thompson, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. For the past 42 years Shorty and his brother Harold went on their annual fishing trips which he looked forward to each year. Shorty passed away on May 31st while sitting on a river bank fishing with his brother. He will be missed dearly by all who loved him. Now he is catching fish with the angels! GO BRONCOS!! Memorial services for Shorty were held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 10:30 AM at their home in the backyard in Bethune. There was no visitation as Shorty’s wish was to be cremated. Private family graveside services will be held at a later time. Memorials may be made in Shorty’s name and may be left at the First National Bank in Burlington.