Curtis Ryan Monroe

Curtis Ryan Monroe, 92, died Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Tupelo after a brief illness. He was a retired baseball coach and former chair of the history department at Itawamba Community College. He was born in Decatur, Mississippi on December 5, 1930 to James Clark and Annie Neva Roberts Monroe and was the youngest of seven children. He attended Decatur High School where he was a multi-sport athlete, East Central Community College and Mississippi State where he obtained both B.S. and M.S. degrees while being a Presidential Scholar for two years. It was in Starkville that he met Sally Ashford, one of six children of Charlie and Nan Ashford. He skillfully wooed Miss Ashford by giving his future father- in law free baseball tickets to see him suit up for the Diamond Dogs. As a heralded southpaw, he went 4-2 his junior year with an ERA of 2.84. His senior year he compiled a 6-1 record with an ERA of 3.20 en route to earning All-SEC honors. During the summers he played semi-pro ball in Texas.

After obtaining his master's degree from State in 1954, he was about to be drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates, but the Army beat them to it. He completed basic training at Ft Jackson, South Carolina and played on the base's baseball team. Thinking if he requested a transfer, he would get out of the oppressive heat, Curt was instead transferred to Ft. Gordon near Augusta, Georgia. After a short stint there, he was stationed in Germany near the Czech border as a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He traveled throughout Europe sightseeing in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Austria. He returned to the States in 1956. His first job was teaching history and coaching baseball and girls basketball at Union High School. He and Sally were married on June 12, 1959, at the Starkville Presbyterian Church. In 1961, Curt drove to Fulton and interviewed with then IJC President John Crubaugh. Curt was offered the job of head baseball coach and history teacher and for the next 62 years, he and Sally made Fulton their home raising their two daughters, Amy and Emilie Nan, on campus. Curt not only served as a teacher, but as a lifeguard and dorm parent. The family thrived on campus making friends with students and children of other staff members. He also served as an assistant football coach at Itawamba Agricultural High School for many years.

Curt's love of the outdoors emanated from his youth. While his four surviving brothers served in WWII, Curt would occasionally camp alone with his beloved dog Tuff and hone his hunting skills. It was during this time, he developed a love for quail hunting using English Setters. He would personally train several of his dogs over the years to hunt quail using nothing more than his voice, a fishing rod with line, and a quail wing. Curt participated in Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Life Scout, but before he could get his Eagle badge, his scoutmaster left to serve in the war and the troop disbanded.

Curt served as the head baseball coach at ICC until 1989 and continued to teach his legendary Western Civilization course until 1994. He wanted to be remembered for his teaching more than playing baseball. Upon retirement, he and Sally would split their time between Fulton, Starkville and their house in Gatlinburg. One of the things Papa (Curt) and Honey (Sally) enjoyed the most was being with their five grandchildren often entertaining them for weeks at a time during the summers in Gatlinburg.

Curt was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2003 and the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He was a member of the M Club for many years. He was also a Master Mason, 32nd degree Scottish Rite, a Shriner and a member of the American Legion Post 51 in Fulton. He was a longtime member of Fulton United Methodist Church serving on various committees and was a member of the Charlie Mae Sunday School class.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 64 years, Sally; his daughters Amy Agee (Mike) of Germantown and their children- Ryan (Margaret), Marianne and Sam- and Emilie Nan English (Brock) of Tupelo and their children- Curt and Charlie; his sisters in law Pat Johnson, Em Ashford and Hanna White (Bill) and brother in law Pepper Ashford (Carol) and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers William Monroe, Leon Monroe, Sr., James Clark Monroe, Ellis Monroe, and Johnny Ray Monroe; his sister Annie Neva Doler; his brother in law Charlie Ashford and brother and sister in law Jim and Jacque Ashford.

Pallbearers will be his sons-in law and grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be his former players.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers any memorials be made to French Camp Academy 1 Fine Place French Camp, MS 39745, Itawamba Crossroads Ranch 716 Airport Rd Fulton, MS 38843, Forever Young Veterans 201 Center St. Suite 200 Collierville, TN 38017 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

A visitation will be held Saturday April 1st at Fulton United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at noon. Burial will be in Starkville at the Odd Fellows Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of the arrangements.

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