John William Monk's Obituary
John William Monk, 82, died August 22, 2024 in the company of his dogs, at his home in Richland, WA. John was the son of John Garland and Edith Olena Monk, born on July 29, 1942 and raised in Dallas, Texas. He was a proud fourth generation Texas cattleman who maintained fond memories of his horse Rusty. John was an avid fisherman, starting as a child with his parent’s lake in Gladewater, TX and as an adult organizing trips to the Texas Coast. He collected antique lures and took up fly fishing and offshore deep-sea fishing.
He earned a B.S. degree in Business Finance from the University of North Texas. Following college, John served his country during the Vietnam War as a data analyst in the Navy, and then pursued his Masters in Management Science at United States International University in San Diego.
His career was one of both brilliance and excellence. John was a project manager for many years and later turned his keen sense of economics to the real estate market. For those who had the opportunity to work with him, he was recognized for his uncanny ability to read local markets while understanding macro trends. His abilities made fortunes for those who listened to his sage advice. He finished his career in the savings and loan industry as a senior analyst. In addition to more formal work, John was always involved in a financial avocation from antiques and silver to guns and fishing lures. He brought his unique skills to these activities as well, delighting those he met with his warmth and stories, and always making money. He made many friends in his life through all his different work and served as an outstanding mentor for younger workers.
He met his wife, Jo Ann Goehring, in Dallas. They married in June 1977, and they started a family several years later. Upon retirement from federal service with the NCUA, he became interested in western dancing where he went to compete internationally with his partner. In retirement he also set off on an epic adventure with his dogs Kobe and Tiki his truck and Airstream. They traveled the country visiting friends, exploring mountains, parks, and stopping at streams and fishing every opportunity he had.
He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Monk Lin and her husband Chia-Wen, and two granddaughters Joelle and Gemma. He is also survived by his Shiba Inu dogs Kobe and Tiki, who gave him great joy. John is preceded in death by his wife Jo Ann who he lovingly cared for during her battle with cancer and son Jordan. An inurnment will be held at 10am on Tuesday September 10th at Restland Cemetery. The family invites you to share memories at https://everloved.com/life-of/john-william-monk/.
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