Gary Walter Monroe departed this life on March 19, 2026. He was born on August 20, 1946 to Beryl Jean Swindell in Detroit, Michigan. He received his GED through the military in 1965, and received an Associate Degree in business from Columbia State Community College in 1980.

He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 on August 16, 1965. He served three tours in the Vietnam War, primarily with the 25th Infantry. He also served a tour with the 35th Armor 4th Armored Division and the 1st Infantry Division.

Following his service with the United States Army, he enlisted with the Tennessee Army National Guard where he served in Operation Desert Storm with the 300th MASH in Smyrna, Tennessee.

During his military career, he was awarded many medals. His metals included the Combat Infantry Badge, Aviation Door gunner wings, 5 Air medals, including one Air Medal with V device. He also received 3 bronze stars, 3 purple hearts, 6 Army Commendation Medals, 7 Good Conduct Medals, Army Achievement Medal received during Operation Desert Storm, 5 NCO Achievement Medal, 6 Vietnam Service Medals, 6 National Defense Ribbons, Vietnam Campaign Medal, 1 Southeast Campaign Ribbon, 1 Southwest Campaign Medal for units deployed to Operation Desert Storm.

He was part of the Tet Offensive of 1968, the Battle of Dactao in 1967, the invasion of Cambodia in 1967, and the Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1970. He fought in 11 out of the 13 major counter offensives in Vietnam.

While in his service, he was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii; Cu Chi, Vietnam; Quang Tri, Vietnam, Bamberg, Germany; Weirtzburg, Germany, Fort. Knox, Kentucky, and Fort McClellan, Alabama.

He served 25 years with the United States military and retired as a SFC (Sergeant First Class).

In his civilian career, he completed training and became a certified police officer with the State of Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. He served as chief of police in Clifton, TN and then served as a police officer in Adamsville, TN. He became a certified D.A.R.E. officer in Adamsville in 1991.

He was a lifelong Detroit Lions fan and an avid coin collector.

He loved spending time on the farm and working in his vegetable garden. He enjoyed watching football and eating late night snacks with his 4-legged best friend, Domino.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Beryl Swindell, and his brothers Scott Oakes and Robbie Swindell. He is survived by his three children, William ‘Bill’ Monroe (Heather), Amelia Monroe Carlson (Brent), and Johnathan Monroe (Lisa) and by his 6 grandchildren, Caden Monroe, Karlee Monroe, Anna Monroe, Tucker Monroe, Gunner Monroe, Olga Carlson, and 4 step-grandchildren; Gunner Johns, Rylan Johns, Jeremiah Robbins, and Shawn Robbins.

He is survived by his sisters, Sandy Wright (Lou) and Laurie Oakes Cravey. He is also survived by his two brothers, Neal “Skip” Oakes (Sharon) and Craig Oakes.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 24, from 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. and services will be at 5 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Home in Collinwood. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana or The National Museum of the United States Army.