Dave Monks

Dave J. Monks, 86, of Panama, OK passed away Thursday, June 14, 2012 in Poteau, OK.  Dave was born  January 18, 1926 in Tahona, OK to Dave Sr. & Minnie H. (Robinson) Monks.  He was a homebuilder.  He was of the Baptist faith.  Dave was a WWII veteran of the US Army.  He served in the China-Burma Theater in Troop A of the 124^th Cavalry Regiment which was part of the MARS Task Force during 1943-45.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.  This was the last active horse cavalry in the US Army.  They opened the Burma road.   He was awarded a  LeFlore County Oklahoma Pioneer certificate being a descendant of an ancestor who resided in the LeFlore County Oklahoma area of Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, prior to statehood.  His grandfather arrived at Skullyville in 1858.  Dave was owner & partner/developer of the ABM Addition.  He loved to hunt and fish.  It is known that he killed 29 elk.  Dave was a successful businessman and has owned 200 pieces of real estate property in LeFlore County.  He owned and operated Monks Furniture and Monks Builders.  Dave was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alfred Monks & W.C. Monks; sister, Viola Butler; grandson, Shon Pilkington.

Survivors include his wife, Wynona of the home; 3 daughters, Tita ILiff of Datil, NM, Key Eidschun of Howe, OK, Mony Chambers of Winston-Salem, NC; stepsons, Wesley Bell of Katy, TX, Wayne Bell of Panama, OK, Michael Bell of Bokoshe, OK; stepdaughter, Teresa Hall of Panama, OK; 12 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; brothers, August Monks of Shady Point, OK, Frank Monks of Ft. Gibson, OK, sister, Lois Raymond of Spiro, OK

Services will be 10 am, Monday, June 18, 2012 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Shady Point Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Tex Williamson, Russ Chambers. Lee Shipman, Rick Hall, Al Monks Jr., Little Al Monks

The family will be at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm to visit with relatives & friends.