Obituaries
Tex Autry 'T.A.' Monk
By Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne
May 22, 2016

Dorchester, Texas -- Tex Autry "T.A." Monk, 77, of Dorchester, Texas, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.  His passing followed a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Tex was born on June 4, 1938 in Westminster, Texas, son of the late Richard and Blanche Ballard Monk.   He was the 3rd born of 9 children.  He grew up and graduated from school in Westminster, Texas.

Tex was blessed with a large and loving family.  He married Lillie Lou Umphress on November 17, 1956 in Elmont, Texas.  They were happily married for 59 years, and had 5 children.  During his lifetime, Tex worked as farmer/rancher, truck driver, and owned Auto-Lec Rebuilders in Sherman, Texas for 20 years. His favorite occupation was farming with his son on the family farm.

Throughout his life he enjoyed many hobbies including bee keeping, meat smoking, producing sorghum syrup, flying model airplanes, making stoneground cornmeal, and building just about anything.  He and his wife enjoyed many trips throughout the years with their close friends Joe and Ann Richardson. 

Tex was a devout Christian.   He was an elder at the Valley Church of Christ in Gunter, Texas for 24 years.  Additionally, he served on the S&S schoolboard for several years.

He is survived by wife, Lillie; his son, Alan Monk and wife Teresa of Dorchester; four daughters, Beverly Cole and husband Marlon of Gunter, Charlotte Boelens and husband Tom of Gunter, Dianne Gravley and husband Lynn of Gunter, and Connie Queen and husband Bruce of Howe.  He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, Jeremy Cole and wife Amber , Melissa Theil and husband Clint, Chance Cole, Destiny Morrison and husband Matthew, Rikki Boelens, Jamie Boelens, Hunter Gravley, Alyssa Gravley,  Garrett Gravley, Cassandra  Belt and husband Calvin, Candace Haggard and husband Vince, Lillie Walston and husband Zach, Tex Autry Monk II, Jeb Queen, Andi Jakubik and husband Clint, Connor Queen and wife Susana, Cooper Queen and wife Olga, Jessi  Mudgett and husband Jordan, John Paxton Queen, Savannah Queen, and Hayden Queen;  16 great grandchildren Maddox Key, Braxton and Delilah Cole, Bremerton and Titus Thiel, Hannah Morrison,  Gideon and Joseph Belt, MaeLeigh Walston, Benjamin Queen, Annabelle, Ainsley, Clinton, and Zachery Jakubik, Johnny and J Queen, Jimena Queen.  He is survived by 3 brothers, Jack, Truett, and Jimmy Monk, and 3 sisters, Virginia White, Bernice Housewright, and Lerah Riggs.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lonnie Monk, sister Anita Sisson and grandson Zachary Queen. 

Visitation will be Monday, May 23, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, Texas.  Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at Valley Church of Christ in Gunter, Texas with Marlon Cole and Alan Monk officiating.  Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  He will be buried at Elliott Cemetery in Van Alstyne, Texas following the funeral service.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Valley Church of Christ or Michael J. Fox Foundation.