Milton LaRoy "Sonny" Monk

Milton LaRoy “Sonny” Monk, 89, of Gilmer, Texas, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, surrounded by his family and the prayers of friends. At the time of his death, Mr. Monk was a resident at Wesley Oaks.

Milton – known as “Sonny” or “ML” – was born on June 19, 1935, to his parents Elmer Randle Monk and Euneta Mae Pope. Sonny was born at the Mings Chapel home of his grandparents, Ida Craig and William David Monk, and it was his joy to raise cattle on the home place until his death. He has passed this legacy of stewardship to his children and his grandson. Sonny’s childhood was spent in Oklahoma and Texas, among extended family. Throughout his life, he treasured the memories of his grandparents and nurtured family ties. After graduating from Union Grove School, Sonny studied Drilling Fluids Engineering at Kilgore College, and began a career that would take him to oilfields across the South and in the Gulf of Mexico. While working in Houston, Mississippi, he met a pretty schoolteacher at the boarding house where they were both staying. On April 5, 1959, he and Sarah Katherine Newman were wed, and began the adventure of a lifetime. Soon enough, Sonny was the faithful and proud father of two – Karen and Randy. He returned to East Texas to raise his family. In later life, Sonny delighted in the time he spent as Grampy to Matthew, to whom he passed along the values of hard work, good boots, a handy pocketknife, and black and white TV. Sonny was a gifted storyteller, a reliable friend, and a man of quiet faith.

Sonny is survived by son, Randy and spouse Misti; daughter Rev. Dr. Karen A. Monk; and grandson Matthew David Monk.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Anne Monk; his beloved wife of 62 years, Sarah; and his sister, Diane Carter.

Funeral services for Sonny Monk will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the First Methodist Church of Gilmer, with interment to follow at Glade Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M., just prior to the funeral service at the church.

The family offers their deepest gratitude to the staff of Wesley Oaks Memory Care, Heart to Heart Hospice, and StayKare. We have all been blessed by your care.

If you would like to make gifts in honor of Sonny’s memory, the family requests donations be made to First Methodist Church, 105 N. Montgomery St, Gilmer, TX 75644