Thomas James "Tom" Monroe

Thomas James Monroe, age 87 of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 in Tecumseh.

He was born September 16, 1934 to Charles Robert and Hilda Pauline (Prigmore) Monroe.

Tom was born and raised in Collinsville, OK. He attended school there, and graduated from Collinsville High School with the class of 1952. Tom proudly served his country in the US Army from 1956 to 1958. He attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, on football, basketball, and baseball scholarships and attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He married Judy Stapp in Eureka Springs, Arkansas on August 6, 1988. They have lived in the Tecumseh area for the last 33 years.

Tom was the Chief Boiler Inspector for the State of Oklahoma from February 1, 1971 through June 30, 1999 before his first retirement. He came out of retirement and worked an additional five years for the Labor Department. He worked under 13 labor commissioners and eight governors. He was a member of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. He was also a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon (Phi Sigma Kappa). Tom was also a Deacon at Eastside Baptist Church before he moved to Tecumseh.

He loved cooking, playing golf and watching football. One labor commissioner reported Tom could take any meat and create a gourmet meal. He was an avid OU and Dallas Cowboy fan.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and 1 brother, Charles “Popeye” Monroe.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Judy of the home; 1 daughter, Lou Ann (Monroe) Gladd of Sallisaw, OK; 1 son, Tommy Monroe of Tahlequah, OK; 5 grandchildren, Garrett Gladd of Phoenix, AZ, Ethan Gladd and wife, Ja Li Si, of Tahlequah, Ashley Monroe Watts of Sallisaw, Ryan Monroe and wife, Shari, of Seminole, OK, and Lauren Monroe; 4 great grandsons, Brayden, Kylar, Riley and Hayden; sister and brother in law, Peggy and Joe Turley; nephew, Mike Hall; and numerous other loving family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Monroe, Garrett Gladd, Ethan Gladd, Jerry Hickox, Ronnie Roselius, Bobby Roselius and Riley Monroe.

Family visitation will be 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Friends visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, Sunday, January 9, 2022. Service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 10, 2022, at Cooper Funeral Home with Reverend Larry Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery, Macomb, OK under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.