Tom Monroe

Sterling Thomas (Tom) Monroe III passed away at his home in Graham surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 28th 2022. He was 83 years old. He is remembered by his wife, Carol, of 63 years, their 3 children Sterling Monroe IV, Kristen Preuitt and Vallere Lee, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Tom grew up in Okanogan, WA, played quarterback for the high school football team, and married his high school sweetheart on August 29th, 1959. He and Carol moved to Pullman where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Washington State University in 1963. He worked as a smokejumper from 1958 to 1962 and jumped fighting fires in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Arizona, and New Mexico.

From 1979-1994 he worked as the Data Processing Director for the Seattle Seahawks. He retired at 55 to fulfill his dream of living in the mountains. He and Carol bought property north of Cle Elum and in 1988 built a large cabin. The entire family spent wonderful times enjoying The Cabin while hiking, camping, and playing at the river during summer, and snowmobiling, skiing, and sledding in the winter. There was always a puzzle to work on and a campfire to visit around.

Tom and Carol bought their 42” sailboat, Cante Libre, in 2000 and sailed through the San Juan and Gulf Islands, and up to Alaska in 2002, often accompanied by family members.

He climbed Mount Rainier several times, Mount Fuji in Japan, and Mount Logan in Canada, in addition to many peaks in the Cascades.

Tom will be remembered for his great love of the outdoors and his family.

In lieu of flowers, he would have appreciated donations to the Audubon Society. A wake will be held this summer at Boulder Creek.