George was born on December 10, 1939 to Martha Mae Cochran and George Rollin Monroe in San Antonio, Texas. After George graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1957, he went on to obtain his undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 1961 and subsequently his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 1963. Like many in his family, George was a proud Baylor alumni and spent many years making the trip down to Waco for homecoming, as well as routinely wearing both his and his father’s class rings.
After Medical school, George completed his residency at Parkland hospital in Dallas, specialising in pediatrics. It was there that he met his beloved wife Beverly, at which point he joined the Navy and they moved together to Taiwan where he was stationed through the Vietnam War, afterwards transferring back to Corpus Christi.
Upon being released from the Navy in 1971, Dr. Monroe moved back to Dallas where he ran his own practice until retiring in 2017. He relished reminding patients, friends, and family alike that he was the first Pediatrician to move into Medical City Dallas, where he maintained an office until his retirement. “Doc-y Roe” as his patients affectionately called him, loved helping children and often contributed his extra time to looking after newborns in the hospital’s nursery. He also started a professional breastfeeding association which renewed interest in lactation locally.
Throughout his life, George enjoyed participating in various different groups including the Sons of the American Revolution, The Scottish Society of Dallas, several wine societies such as the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, as well as becoming an Admiral of the Texas Navy. He was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas, starting the sunrise service and sustaining a long term membership of the Genesis class.
Researching his ancestry fascinated George and he spent many hours compiling Monroe and Cochran family histories to document in his family tree maker. This passion, along with support from his Uncle Gordon Monroe, ultimately led George to discover his Scottish roots which prompted him to join a local Scottish Society (sometimes humorously speaking in a fake accent with fellow ‘Scots’), travel to Foulis Castle in Scotland (home of the Munro Clan), and buy what would become his favorite dress attire- a Black Watch tartan kilt which he adorned at any and all special occasions his children would allow.
One hobby which George took a keen interest in was reading and reciting poetry. He would often recount and perform many of his favorites including Flanders Field, Scarborough Fair, and Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening. He also enjoyed walking, very much getting into the speed walking trend of the early nineties (sweat bands and short shorts included), taking after dinner walks with the family around the neighborhood, and continuing to take walks that were regularly over two miles well into his seventies.
George is predeceased by his parents Martha “MeeMaw” and George “Papa”, his brother George Rollin Jr., his first wife Beverly “Bambi”, his uncle Gordon, and his cousin KC Wood Jr. He is survived by his brother Joe (wife MaryDean and their son Jeffrey), children Carter(wife Beth and their son Cole), Laura (and her daughters Morgan and Maeve), Preston(wife Torian and mother LouAnn), McKenna and Rylan (and their mother Lara).
Services will be held at First United Methodist (1928 Ross Ave, Dallas) on Saturday July 27th at 10am.
Flowers can be sent to First United Methodist or Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home addressed to Clan Monroe. Thereafter, or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Children’s Medical Center Foundation.
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