Sgt. Maj. David E. Monks passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at his home in Leander, Texas.
David was raised in Franklin and was the son of the late Howard and Jo Monks. He was a proud member of the Franklin Knights Football and Track teams, graduating in 1970. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Armored Cavalryman. David served in three of the Army’s Armored Cavalry Regiments, the 3rd ACR at Fort Bliss Texas, and the 11th and 14th in West Germany. He was a dedicated, determined and extremely competent professional soldier who served as a Tank commander, Section Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant of an Armored Cavalry Troop and the 11th ACR Regimental Headquarters Troop.
He received two associate degrees from Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas, and was a graduate of the distinguished Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. SGM Monks served his most meaningful assignment guarding the frontier of freedom, the East-West German border during the Cold War. He was considered one of the finest Non -Commissioned Officers in the 11th Armored Cavalry. His final assignment was as the Senior Enlisted advisor to the State of Texas, Army National Guard and Army Reserve.
He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal five times, The Army Commendation Medal., and the Army Achievement Medal along with other awards and honors.
Upon conclusion of his military career, David joined the United States Postal Service and served as a letter carrier in Austin, Texas.
David is survived by his wife Christine; his son Kevin and his wife Debbie of Leander, Texas; and his daughter, Stacie Ray, her husband Tony and five grandchildren, Steven, Shane, Jacob, Christopher, and Victoria of Copperas Cove, Texas.
He is also survived by his siblings: his sisters, Debbie Monks-Attleberger and nephews Bill, Chris, Greg, Matthew and Stephen; Maria Moyer, her husband Larry, and nephew Kaleb; his brothers, Michael and his wife Christel, and Howard and his wife Karen, niece Jennifer and husband Joel Potter, and nephew Joshua all of Franklin.
David is also survived by his uncle, Ed Monks of Oil City; aunt, Cecilia Speisman of Santee, Calif., and numerous cousins and other relatives.
Also surviving is his former wife, Susan Rahman Monks of Copperas Cove, Texas.
A funeral with full Military Honors was held in Cedar Park, Texas and graveside service was held at the Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killen, Texas. Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division served as pallbearers, Firing detail and Bugler.
David served his country with great honor and distinction for over 40 years. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by his family and many friends , especially his lifelong friend and fellow soldier , LTC Joe Russell of Franklin.
Please visit: http://www.hartlefuneralhome.com for further information and to leave your personal note of condolence.