[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 62 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E310] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-13
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. KELLY : I rise today to honor Curtis Ryan Monroe, who died Sunday, March 26, 2023, at ninety-two years old. He was a retired baseball coach and former chair of the history department at Itawamba Community College. He was born in Decatur, Mississippi, on December 5, 1930, to James Clark and Annie Neva Roberts Monroe, and was the youngest of seven children. He attended Decatur High School where he was a multi-sport athlete, then attended East Central Community College, followed by Mississippi State University, where he obtained both a bachelor and master's degree as well as being a Presidential Scholar for two years. It was in Starkville that he met Sally Ashford, who would later become his wife on June 12, 1959, at the Starkville Presbyterian Church. While wooing Miss Ashford, he gave his future father-in-law free baseball tickets to see him suit up for the Diamond Dogs. After obtaining his master's degree from State in 1954, he was about to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Army beat them to it. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and played on the base's baseball team. Curt was transferred to Fort Gordon near Augusta, Georgia. He was next stationed in Germany near the Czech border as a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He returned to the States in 1956. His first job was teaching history and coaching baseball and girls' basketball at Union High School. In 1961, Curt drove to Fulton and interviewed with then-IJC President John Crubaugh. Curt was offered the job of head baseball coach and history teacher. He accepted and, for the next sixty-two years, he and Sally made Fulton their home, raising their two daughters, Amy and Emilie Nan, on campus. Curt served as a teacher, a lifeguard and dorm parent. He also served as an assistant football coach at Itawamba Agricultural High School for many years. Curt participated in Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Life Scout. Before Curtis could earn his Eagle badge, his scoutmaster left to serve in the war and the troop disbanded. Curt served as the head baseball coach at ICC until 1989 and continued to teach his legendary Western Civilization course until 1994. He wanted to be remembered for his teaching more than playing baseball. Upon retirement, he and Sally spent their time between Fulton and Starkville and their house in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He and Sally enjoyed being with their five grandchildren, often entertaining them for weeks at a time during the summers in Gatlinburg. Curt was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2003 and the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He was a member of the M Club for many years. He was also a Master Mason, 32nd degree Scottish Rite, a Shriner, and a member of the American Legion Post 51 in Fulton. He was a longtime member of Fulton United Methodist Church serving on various committees and was a member of the Charlie Mae Sunday School class. He is survived by Sally, his beloved wife of nearly sixty-four years; his daughter Amy Agee (Mike) of Germantown and her children, Ryan (Margaret), Marianne, and Sam; and his daughter Emilie Nan English (Brock) of Tupelo and her children, Curt and Charlie; his sisters-in- law Pat Johnson, Em Ashford, and Hanna White (Bill), and brother-in-law Pepper Ashford (Carol); and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers William Monroe, Leon Monroe, Sr., James Clark Monroe, Ellis Monroe, and Johnny Ray Monroe; his sister Annie Neva Doler; his brother-in-law Charlie Ashford and brother and sister-in-law Jim and Jacque Ashford.