In Memoriam: Dale Monroe

Dale Alvin Monroe passed from the arms of his wife into the arms of our Lord Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the age of 75. He was born November 26, 1941 in Medford, Ore. to Harold Alvin and Dorothy Mae (Lamb) Monroe. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Rae Barker, Sunday, August 28, 1960, Linda’s grandfather’s birthday.

Dale graduated from Ashland High School with the class of 1960. He received his bachelor of arts from Evergreen State in Washington, his master of adult education from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., and his doctor of education from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He worked as an administrator for Oroweat Baking Company in Beaverton, Ore. and was transferred to Dallas, Texas to set up the administration for a bakery there in 1972, taking Oroweat east. Dale moved back to Medford in 1978 to manage the family real estate office with his wife and mother-in-law. He moved to Vancouver, Wash. in 1980 and worked for Evergreen School District. Dale was the Western Washington University Director of Business Services, managing 12 departments for 20 years from 1988 to 2008. He also was a mentor for the Governor’s office in Olympia, Wash.

Dale retired and moved back to Medford in 2007, but worked on special projects for the university until 2008. Dale and Linda rejoined the Ashland Methodist Church where they grew up and were married 56 years ago and became very involved with their church and church family. Dale was the chair for several committees; a grand mentor for family and friends, and a cheerleader for all with dreams for the future.

Dale is survived by his wife, Linda; their four sons, Steven Douglas Monroe (Chris), Robert Micheal Monroe (Lasma), Todd Patrick Monroe (Kim), and Marc Raymond Monroe. They have seven grandchildren, Caleb (Cecilia with baby Cooper), Kyle (Liz), Jessica Rae Monroe, Jacquelyn Monroe, Amanda Boyl-Davis (Martin), Jordan Monroe, and Colton Monroe. Dale is also survived by his older brother, Rev. W. Gregg Monroe and his wife, Carol; sister-in-law, Joyce; and several nieces and nephews. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Lynn Harold Monroe.

Dale had a passion for fishing and traveling in his “little house” travel trailer with Linda. They had many great adventures.