James R. Munroe

James Munroe of Stevensville, MT passed away August 4, 2018 at his home following his battle with cancer.  He was 91.

He was born James Reese Munroe on November 10, 1926 in Hazleton, PA to Robert John and Mary Rose (Winklespecht) Munroe.   Jim grew up in Hazleton graduating from Hazleton High School where he played basketball on a memorable team in the championship finals.  Jim graduated with the class of 1944.  Following high school, Jim went on to study at Penn State University earning his AA degree. 

Jim then joined the Navy where he served as a Radarman, Third Class in WWII on the USS Dyess which was a destroyer.

Growing up in a duplex, the Munroe family was neighbors to the Demopulos family.  The Demopulos family had a daughter, Sylvia, who was close to the same age as James and they attended school together.  They kept correspondence during the war and their relationship began to grow on his return home.   They were married on November 30, 1952. 

During that time he worked for Central Pennsylvania doing road construction from 1944-1982.  He started working for them in the summers during school which later turned into a full time career.  Jim then went to work for Stabler Construction in 1982 until his retirement.   During is working years, Jim and his family moved 20 times across Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. 

Jim retired to Pinehurst, NC in 1994 where he enjoyed playing golf 5 days a week.  When Jim was not playing golf, he volunteered at the Givens Library in Pinehurst, at the U.S. Opens and at The Club for scrambles and other varsity member events.  He also enjoyed gardening and the sunny weather in Pinehurst. 

Jim’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter moved to Montana from Raleigh, North Carolina as an early retirement gift.  In 2015, Jim decided it was time to join them.  Montana was the perfect fit for him because he loved being outdoors his whole life.

Jim in preceded in death by his parents, siblings Robert Munroe Jr., Thomas Munroe, Joan (Munroe) Schnably and his son James Jr. 

He is survived by his wife Sylvia; daughter Janet Weber; son-in-law Warren Weber, all of Stevensville, MT. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Amanda who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. 

The family suggests that memorials be to Marcus Daly Hospice in Hamilton, MT, Givens Library in Pinehurst, NC or the Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst, NC.

At a later date, services will be held in Pinehurst, NC and Seattle, WA for East and West Coast family and friends.

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