Arnel Lamont Monroe's Obituary
Arnel “Spanky” Monroe, 49, passed into eternity on Sunday, June 5, 2016 in Columbia, Missouri. , at Boone Hospital Center. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 7 PM at Hickman High School Alumni Stadium. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at The Crossing Church in Columbia. The visitation will be held from 9 - 11 AM at the church.
Arnel was born on May 19, 1967 in Columbia, Missouri, as the son of Shirley Mae Curtis, and Ronald E. Monroe, Sr., (deceased). He dedicated his life to his family, community and fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Arnel worked for Columbia Public Schools for 22 years first as a home school communicator and later as a teacher. Though Arnel spent time in many buildings through his tenure, his heart and spirit was always that of a Hickman Kewpie. As a coach, Arnel was in his element. After his playing days were over both as a Kewpie and collegiately at University of Central Missouri, Arnel returned to Hickman as an unpaid assistant under Greg Nesbitt in 1995. He was committed to his craft and worked his way through the coaching ranks, becoming the defensive coordinator in 2006.
In 2011, he was named Hickman's head coach. He was excited for the opportunity and did not take one game, one possession, one practice or team meeting for granted. Coaching was his passion; indeed it was truly his calling. As “Coach Monroe” Arnel was well known not just for his sophisticated play schemes, or his diligent preparation during and in the off season, but it was his ability to inspire his players on and off the field—they became not just better players, but better people. The same intensity he displayed during a pregame speech or on the sidelines could also be seen in the halls of Hickman and on the streets of Columbia. Coach Monroe challenged his players and his students to be their best selves. He wanted his players and students to win in the game of life.
Off the field and outside of the Columbia Public Schools, Arnel’s ability to inspire was evident in his service to his fraternity. Arnel was initiated into the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha on March 21, 1986, through the Zeta Gamma Chapter, at the University of Central Missouri. He was known throughout the state of Missouri and the Midwest Region for his care and concern for his brothers and left a lasting and unparalleled positive impact on the young men he mentored and taught in the Zeta Alpha Chapter at the University of Missouri in particular. For some he was brother, father, friend and life coach. His powerful, inspiring oratory was just as impactful in the fraternity as it was on the field of play, in the classroom, or in the community.
Arnel Monroe was a transformative force of human spirit that dedicated his life to the betterment of his family, community, and fraternity.
Arnel is survived by his fiancé ShaShana, his children, Christina (Adrian), Alyssa (Tony), Kierra, Tony, Caitlin and Benjiman; his grandson Adrian Jr., his mother Shirley Mae Curtis, his brothers Ronald Tooley, Ricky Tooley, Michael Monroe and LaRon Monroe; his sisters Leslie Monroe, Tori Monroe, Rae Monroe and Dionne Houston; as well as, a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Ronald Monroe Sr., his brother Ronald Monroe Jr., and his paternal grandmother Vitilla Monroe Boone.
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