Donald Richard Monrad, 79, of Cypress, TX, passed away 2-10-2021 after a 10 month long battle with cancer.  This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful father, grandfather and soon to be greatfather, left a permanent mark etched in our hearts and will be profoundly missed.

Donald was born 6-24-1941 in Kansas City, MO.  He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, graduating from Mt. Lebanon HS in 1959.  He went on to graduate from Penn State 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 1st 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, MD and welcomed their 1st child.  He began his career with Caterpillar in 1969 settling for a short period of time in Peoria, IL.  They welcomed their 2nd child in Peoria before moving to Sacramento, CA and then to Portland, OR(Gresham).  Their 3rd child was born in 1973 and a year later the family of 5 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, IL, where they would remain until 1988.  During that summer, he moved the family to Houston, TX (Spring), where he worked 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 and Christine Monrad of Pittsburgh, PA and a sister and a 1st wife.  Surviving is his wife, Judith Monrad, two sons, Carl and Paul, one daughter, Katie and 9 grandchildren.

www.kleinfuneralhome.com/obituary/donald.monrad