Richard Preston Monroe

Richard Preston Monroe (aka Poppy) 
 
Heaven received a very special angel in the early morning hours on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 when Richard Preston Monroe (aka Poppy), a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by his family at the age of 68.  

Born February 2, 1955 in Olney, he was the son of Floyd Preston Monroe and Beverly Jane Evans (Diehl) who both preceded him in death. He graduated from Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, MD, class of 1973, and earned his Journeyman’s Electrical license from Montgomery County in 1984. 

He retired from Frederick County Public Schools in August of 2020 as an electrician and general mechanic after 30 years of Service. Prior to FCPS, Richard worked as an electrician at Bethesda Armature in Rockville MD. 
Richard was a Volunteer Firefighter for 18 years working out of Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department and subsequently Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department.  
He loved playing softball, going charter fishing, going to car shows in Ocean City MD, bowling on the Saturday Night at the Movies league for over 20 years and all things related to his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Christine Monroe (Thompson) of 41 years whom he married on May 22, 1982 at the Hyattstown Christian Church.  Richard and Christine met at the Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department in 1980 when he was a Firefighter and she volunteered with the Auxiliary.  

Also surviving are children, Karen Conway and husband Mike of Myersville, MD; Heather Monroe and boyfriend Dave Flora of Jefferson, MD; and Jennifer DeLawder and fiancé Adam Nack of Jefferson, MD; grandchildren: Kayla Brody of Myersville, MD; Jaylan DeLawder of Jefferson, MD; Dylan DeLawder of Jefferson, MD; and Parker Nack of Jefferson, MD; siblings: Margie Staton and husband Larry of Frederick, MD; Debbie Leizear and her late husband Dwayne of Derwood, MD; David Monroe of Frederick, MD; Cindy Benear and her husband Dan of Frederick, MD; and Larry Monroe and his wife Heather of Frederick, MD.
Additional family members are nephews Gary Weakley and Daryl Staton; nieces Tammy Brawner, Michelle Weakley, Ashley Hall, Samantha Monroe and Tiffany Monroe; "adopted son" Roy “Chucky” DeLawder III; in-laws, Bill and Mary Thompson; and sister-in-law Cheryl Hampton and husband Nick; and close long-time special family friends Rose and Fred Benear; Cyndi Schofield and Jay Thatcher; and Ronnie Linton  

Throughout his life Richard brought a smile to everyone’s face, he loved a good joke, laugh and most definitely a big cookout and family gatherings.  He loved his family and friends with all that he was and had.  Keep the lights on for us Poppy!  We’ll see you on the other side someday, until then, rest in beautiful peace sweet man.
In lieu of a public viewing, the family will host a Celebration of Life cookout for family and friends in late spring/early summer of 2024 at their home in Jefferson MD, to share stories and memories of their time with Richard.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Frederick Health Hospice.