Donald Richard Monrad, 79, of Cypress, Texas, passed away on Wednesday morning, Feb. 10, 2021 after a 10-month long battle with cancer. This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful father, grandfather and soon to be great grandfather, left a permanent mark etched in our hearts and will be profoundly missed.

Donald was born on June 24, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating from Mt. Lebanon HS in 1959. He went on to graduate from Penn State University in 1963 earning his bachelor's degree in History and Political Science. As a passionate fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Nittany Lions, Don carried his love of sports throughout his life. In 1963, he married his first wife, Mary Kay, and taught high school while attending law school at Case Western Reserve. He was drafted into the US Army in 1966, completing Officer Candidate School and served as a 1st Lieutenant until he was honorably discharged in 1969.  During his time in the service, he and Mary Kay lived in Aberdeen, Maryland and welcomed their first child. He began his career with Caterpillar in 1969 settling for a short time in Peoria, Illinois. They welcomed their second child in Peoria before moving to Sacramento, California and then to Portland, Oregon (Gresham). Their third child was born in 1973 and a year later the family of five was moved to Perth, Western Australia where he continued his career with Caterpillar. After close to 4 years, Don and family relocated stateside to Peoria, Illinois, where they would remain until 1988. During that summer, he moved the family to Houston, TX (Spring), where he would work for 4 years before returning to Peoria in 1992. He then retired in 1999, after 30 years with Caterpillar. Enduring a long struggle with her health, his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary Kay, passed away at the age of 78. Afterwards, Don relocated to Cypress, TX to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He found companionship and love once again and married Judy Lockett in 2019. The few years they had together were full of devotion and happiness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Carl C. Monrad. and Christine (Clark) Monrad of Pittsburgh PA; Mary Kay (Gordon) Monrad, wife of 54 years; and sister, Margaret Kurtz.

Surviving is his wife, Judith Monrad; son, Carl C. Monrad, II (Elaine); daughter, Katie Ford (Ryan); son Paul Monrad; grandchildren, Mason (Lauren), Makenna and Mollie Ford; Elissa, Christopher, Carter and Carson Monrad; Tanner and Jacob Monrad; and this July will welcome his great grand-daughter (Ford).

Services for Donald will take place at:               Klein Funeral Home

1400 W Main St

Tomball, TX  77375

Visitation

Thursday February 25th

5:00-6:00pm family

6:00-8:00pm all

Service (Klein's chapel)

Friday February 26th

10:00am

Live stream link below for Service:

https://youtu.be/TqtFpEJUIeY

The beautiful memories he created live on eternally within our hearts. Rest in peace Pops.

I n lieu of flowers please consider an honorarium to either Tomball High School Athletic Booster Club Scholarship Fund www.thsabc.com and click link or Cy-Hope Back-Pack Program www.cy-hope.org