Maurice Roch Monie Jr. passed away peacefully January 31, 2013, at his home in West Columbia, Texas, with his wife, Carolyn and daughter, Judy, at his side. He was born July 27, 1934 at Mercy Hospital in in New Orleans, LA. For over 4 years he fought courageously with advanced prostate cancer. Maurice is now residing in heaven with his infant great-granddaughter, Ellie.


Maurice and Carolyn celebrated their 25th "Running and Playing" anniversary, October 10, 2012. Carolyn was his fan club, time keeper, photographer, and all-round partner in helping him achieve his goals. A few of the "bucket list" goals he achieved were: running in two marathons (Chicago and Houston); participating in the 1991 Senior Olympics' 400 Meter free style swim meet; going on a research study of the Amazon Rain Forest and catching an anaconda; sailing around the Galapagos Islands; taking a photographic safari to Kenya; horse-packing into the interior of Yellowstone National Park; and traveling throughout Europe.


Maurice achieved many things during his school days as well. His first achievement was being elected "King of the Mardi Gras Parade" by his kindergarten class. While attending Holy Cross High School he participated in football, wrestling, and band. Even though he excelled in his religion classes he occasionally got into trouble with the Brothers. As punishment for his bad behavior, they would send him outside to sit on top of the levee. They never knew that to him this was not a punishment. Maurice graduated from Holy Cross High School in New Orleans at the age of 17.


During that time the Korean War was taking place and Maurice wanted to go where the action was. So he convinced his parents and a judge, who just happened to be a relative, to sign papers allowing him to join the U.S. Marine Corps at 17. After boot camp off to Korea he went. After his stint in the Marines, he stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1958. Then he joined the LA Air National Guard serving in the 159th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.


Maurice attended LSU but had to drop out to earn a living. He then attended night school at Tulane University while working days graduating with a Bachelor in Business Studies in 1970. In 1996, he earned his Masters Degree in Human Resources via distance learning through Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS all the while employed as Senoir VP of Operations for Baytank, Inc., Bayport, TX.


Maurice was an excellent swimmer. In the early 70's he became a certified scuba diver instructor teaching basic diving, wreck diving, and cave diving classes for more that a decade through the YMCA in Metarie, LA. He also competed in many spear fishing rodeos.


Maurice had an interesting work career. He worked for the Chrysler Corp, Space Division as a Propulsion Engineer and for the Bendix Corp., Launch Support Division at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He would laugh and say that they paid him to see if he could destroy things. After moving back to New Orleans he joined GATX Terminals Corp becoming terminal manager, Good Hope, LA until 1985. He was then transferred to their terminal in Galena Park, TX as terminal manager. In 1987 Maurice was promoted to Western Regional Operations Manager for the whole west coast. After two years Baytank, Inc. recruited him to join their company in Bayport, TX as Senior VP of Operations. Five years later GATX recruited him to join their corporate staff in Chicago as Corporate Safety Director. Maurice retired from GATX in 1997.


Never one to be idle he founded his own consulting firm specializing as an expert witness for court cases involving the storage/shipment of chemicals as well as teaching safety training classes.


Then in 2001 he "officially" retired to spend his time traveling and volunteering with his wife, Carolyn.


Maurice  loved animals and teaching children. He and Carolyn became docents at the Houston Zoo where Maurice specialized in reptile education. He would also dress up in various animal costumes and walk around the zoo. Parents always wanted to take pictures of their children with him. One Halloween he dressed up as a gorilla, climbed up in a tree, and sat eating a banana. The kids went wild! For 13 years he taught and entertained the public at the Houston Zoo.


After purchasing 38 acres of Columbia Bottomland Forest and building the log home of his dreams, Maurice became a Texas Master Naturalist in order to learn how to preserve it for wildlife. As a certified TMN Maurice also had the opportunity to teach environmental education classes for school groups through Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge school program; Conoco-Phillips environmental education program for kids; and the opportunity to help transport injured wildlife for Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue.


He was also very devoted to his church - St. Jerome Catholic Church, Clute, TX - serving with the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 15 years helping distribute food to those in need.


His final act of volunteering was to become a "guinea pig" at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in their prostate cancer clinical trail program. Maurice knew that he would not be cured, but through this research program he hoped he would be able to help men who came after him.


Preceding him in death are his parents, Maurice Roch Monie Sr. and Margaret Monie; great-granddaughter, Eleanor Knox; and father-in-law, Rev. DeLoyd Scott Gifford.


Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife and best friend, Carolyn May-Monie, of West Columbia; children, Gary Monie (Brenda), of Myrtle Beach, SC, Judy Ordogne (Don), of The Woodlands, TX, Sharon Davis (Lenny), of Suwannee, GA; sister, Dr. Marilyn Fuselier (Edward), of Metarie, LA; brother, Dr. Herbert Monie (Pat), of Redding, CA; mother-in-law, Polly Gifford, of West Columbia, TX; brother-in-law, Jerry Gifford (Glenn), of West Columbia, TX;  grandchildren, Jennifer Knox (Jay), of Charlotte, NC, Kristi Aguilar, of Myrtle Beach, SC, Blaine, Katie, Carly, Brett, and Rocky Davis, of Suwannee, GA; nieces, Renee Harlen (Luke), of League City, TX, Patti Heffley, of Brazoria, TX; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Kayla Aguilar, of Myrtle Beach, SC, Ava Knox, of Charlotte, NC; great-nieces, Courtney and Shelby Harlen, of League City, TX, Katelyn Smith, of League City, TX; great-nephew, Chris Smith, of League City, TX; and many many other nieces, nephews and cousins.


Pallbearers will be Gary Monie, Jerry Gifford, Don Ordogne, Luke Harlen, Lenny Davis, and Don Vanscoy. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Herbert Monie, Eddie Fuselier, and Fred Gerstner.


A rosary will be held Friday, February 8, 2013, at Lakewood Funeral Chapel in Lake Jackson, Texas, at 6:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.


Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 201 N. Lazy Lane, Clute, Texas, with the Rev. Jim Lynes officiating. After cremation the urn will be placed in the crematorium at Restwood Memorial Park in Lake Jackson, Texas.


In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue, 316 CR 605, Angleton, Texas, 77515.

Sign Guestbook>>

6 Condolence(s)