John David Monroe

Funeral Services for John David Monroe, 73, of Argyle, are set for Friday, July 17, 2009 at 2:00 pm, at the St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Gainesville with the Rev. Roy Baines officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville. Visitation is set for 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday, July 16, 2009 at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

John David died peacefully in his home in Argyle on July 13th. He was born Aug 12, 1935 to Oran and Mary Ann Lang Monroe in Denton.
He graduated from Denton High School and The University of North Texas. He was a long time real estate agent, investor and rancher in the Sivells Bend area, member of Fish Creek Masonic Lodge, Sons of the American Revolution, First Families of Texas, and the Sons of the Texas Revolution.
John became the catalyst for the creation of a new research observatory for the University of North Texas, when he donated land located in a remote area of Texas, under dark skies, perfect for astronomical research. To honor his generous gift, the university named the new observatory The Monroe Robotic Observatory. It currently houses 5 research-grade telescopes that can be remotely operated from the campus in Denton. It is one of the first multiple-telescope observatories to be completed in the U.S. He also donated the land for the Moss Lake Fire department.
He is survived by his sister Billie Jean Williams, 5 nieces, and 1 nephew.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Donald Oran Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Home Hospice of Cooke County.