Remembering Officer Kenneth Monroe

A Quiet, Gentle Man of Service to Family and Community

On Thursday, January 14, 1960, God blessed Bessie & Lee Monroe, Sr. with a bouncing baby boy who they named Kenneth.  Growing up in the household with his siblings, Kenneth was a kind-hearted, soft-spoken, easy-going child.  He enjoyed playing outside with his family and friends.  Kenneth was athletic and relished in sportsman competition.  As a result, he was a football as well as track star at Van Vleck High School where he was a proud member of the graduating class of 1978.

Following high school Kenneth worked locally for a few years until he found his first career passion on the open road.  Yes, driving 18 wheelers was his joy.  Other truckers knew him by his CB handle ‘Shoeshine Boy’. Through many miles, cities, and states, Kenneth was able to be his own boss while seeing the sights and different landmarks as he drove up and down the open roads.  He would allow others to travel with him from time to time.  Actually, several summers of his early years were spent driving with him and his brother in the cab of his truck.  They had the opportunity to have many long in-depth conversations as the put the miles behind them. 

In 1976 he was introduced to Carol Sims through a mutual friend.  Kenneth was quite smitten with Carol, and they begin to spend more and more time together.  It wasn’t long before he and Carol would find themselves putting the miles behind them in the cab of his truck on long hauls.  It was there that they spent countless hours talking and building a relationship which would lead them down the aisle on July 11, 1980.  Now husband and wife, they enjoyed each other and their family.  God blessed them to parent their children and spend quality time together as their family grew and developed.

Although Kenneth really loved driving, after 15 years on the road, he decided that it was time for a career change.  He always enjoyed helping and serving others so, it was no surprise that he decided to dedicate his life to public service.  Kenneth enrolled in Wharton Police Academy.  Following graduation from The Academy he accepted a position as an officer with the Palacios Police Department.  After serving for approximately three years with the department Kenneth worked a year helping to provide security at the nuclear plant.  Following his time at the nuclear plant Kenneth was offered a position with Bay City Independent School District as one of their School Resource Officers which he gladly accepted.  This was the ideal position for him.  He was able to interact with the faculty, staff, and administrators of the school.  However, what he loved the most about the position was being able to share with the students.  It was such a great fit.  He loved the students and they loved him.  He had a unique way of leading and guiding them through difficult times in their lives and provided a stable positive force for them on a regular basis.  Right was right and wrong was wrong and although he loved the students, he didn’t take sides and remained fair.  He would encourage them, correct them, help them, and most of all protect them.  Sometimes that protection simply meant teaching them how to deal with bullies and other issues they encounter.  Students would come back from time to time to thank him and since his transition many have come to thank his family.

Although Kenneth spent a lot of time working and serving the community from providing protection at the football games to helping secure other extra-curricular activities within the district, he looked forward to spending time with his family.  He enjoyed going to the park with his family from the time his kids were small to taking the grandkids in more recent times.  Watching them play while he grilled was relaxing family time.  Kenneth was a country boy at heart.  He didn’t need a lot of fanfare; he was comfortable hanging at home, eating a home cooked meal, and playing his guitar.  He lived a life of service.  If not the community, school, or his family he was serving at his church, Bethel Baptist Church. 

There are many things that will be missed about Kenneth.  One thing that will be mist most is the long conversations on the phone or in person.  He loved to talk, and we loved to talk with him.  Kenneth was a strong but easy-going person who taught us a lot.  He wanted the best for his family, children, and those who he served.  He showed what it meant to be strong even in the face of his own personal health challenges.  He kept a smile although sometimes his physical body was in pain.  HE! KEPT! GOING!   He worked hard even through his illness.  He did what he did best, he served.  On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Shoeshine Boy signed off for the last time.  Kenneth’s service to others was rewarded as he gained his wings.  He is now able to rest from all his labor.  He was loved and will be greatly missed.  Those who will reflect on him and the service he gave to everyone include his wife, Carol Sims Monroe of Bay City; children: Christopher (LaShona) Brown of Sweeney, TX, Tederrain (Khandra) Powell of Houston, TX, Kenechia Sims, Alicea Monroe both of Bay City, TX; siblings: Lee (Bertha) Monroe, Jr. of Houston, TX, Darryl (Jackie) Monroe of Sweeney, TX, Roberta (Samuel) Ellis, and Donna Monroe each of Bay City, TX; sister-in-law: Sharon (Michael) Sims of Bay City, TX; brother-in-law(s): Michael (Wanda) Sims of Bay City, TX, and Larry Sims of Wharton, TX.  These precious memories will also be shared by his eight grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members, students, loved ones, colleagues, church members, and people within the community.  To he who has given much, we owe much.  Servant well done.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Wayne Monroe, please visit our floral store.