Monroe Clarence Kahla Jr.

Monroe Clarence Kahla Jr., age 86, passed away on July 31, 2021. Monroe was born in Port Boliver, TX on March 20, 1935 to Monroe Clarence Kahla Sr. and Hazel Bouse.

Monroe was a hard worker, being promoted to top position in every field he chose to work in, except for bull riding, which he decided was bad for his health. As a young man, he grew up tending farm animals, riding horses, and branding cows. He loved Donkey Baseball and even broke his leg during one of the notorious games. He worked in a shipyard, built houses, and installed shutters, along with building custom furniture that could fit any want or need.  He was talented and a fast learner. He was instinctive and unyielding in every part of his life, especially when he first laid eyes on the woman who would become his Honey.  As young man, Monroe walked into a restaurant and waited for a table, he beheld the first sight of his forever love, Shirley. He immediately told his brother that he was going to dance with that tall blonde. Approaching her, she proclaimed that she did not really know how to dance, Monroe calmly spoke as he took her hand, “Don’t worry, I’ll lead you.” They took each other’s hand and would hold on for the rest of their lives. They did everything together, opening a successful business, raising children and grandchildren together, evacuating and losing everything during Hurricane Ike, and never spending a night away from one another. Through all these events, you could always see Monroe wearing his ostrich leather boots that his “Honey bought for him for a pretty ostrich penny.” After the passing of his darling Shirley, he could be found reading her memorial pamphlet every day; he had one in every room of his house. He missed her dearly and could be heard singing “I still Miss Someone” by Johnny Cash several times a day. To fill his time after her passing, he began taking the great grandchildren for a ride in his truck to go to Dairy Queen and buy ice cream cones. Every morning he would play music in his sunroom, music that he taught himself to play, mostly Johnny Cash and Randy Travis. He loved to sing and watch the birds with his “Honey’s” beloved cat, Willow on his lap. Monroe loved his country and was proud to be an American. He loved to make people laugh. His funny way of saying things, such as Doing the Monkey and Yee Doggie along with imitating trains and crows kept himself and those around him entertained. Monroe loved getting out on his tractor to till the property, mow the “lawn”, which was really a five-acre plot of land, and piddle around in his shop. He was known to sneak away from the shop at times and find himself at a casino or leave to visit his brother Leslie and sister Sissy. Every night little Tolita would walk him to his room, they would dance, blow kisses, and then she would close the door for him. Often Monroe would forget something, and they would have to start the process all over again. Monroe will be missed by his beloved family, a true love that will last through the ages, and will be reunited with his precious Honey beyond the veil of this mortal life.

Left to honor his memory are his children, Melanie Beard and husband Mitchell, Myra Kahla and husband Greg Danis, Matt Kahla, and Melissa “Nicole” Kahla; his grandchildren, Tabitha “Tabby” Pacheco and husband Miguel, Travis McArdle, Melinda “Mindy” Coats and husband Stephen, Monica O’Dooley and husband William, Sheila Rigsby, Shari Priebe, Matthane Kahla Jr. and wife Amanda, Glen Smith Jr. and wife Harley, Brandon Vaughn, Dezerae Danie, Devon Hicks, Matt Kahla, Kason Kahla, and Makahla Kahla; as well as his many great-grandchildren, including “his girls”, Caridee and Eustolia “Tolita”, and “the boys”, Vitali “Ali” and Joshua Monroe Pacheco; his brother, Leslie Kahla; his sister, Velma “Sissy” Nell Stanley; his brother-in-law, Ralph “Sam” Hollandsworth; and sister-in-law, Betty Bartley

Preceding Monroe is his beloved wife, Shirley Kahla; his parents, Monroe Clarence Kahla Sr., and Hazel Bouse; his eldest son, Mark Kahla; his half-sister, Shirley Barrow; and his sister-in-law, Sonya Hollandsworth.

Monroe's life honoring memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Stowell, 117 Van Ostrand Lane Stowell, TX 77661.

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