Col. Lawrence Paul Monahan Jr.'s Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that I must share with you, our dear friends, the passing of my husband of 26 years.
On May 4th we were heading to the YMCA in Gettysburg, PA when Paul mentioned stomach pains. It is only a 1 1/4 hour trip back to Loudoun Hospital, so we decided to get evaluated there. Paul had surgery that night for a strangulated hernia; a subsequent obstruction made it necessary for further surgery 6 days later. ICU care was phenomenal and he was making great strides towards recovery, when a massive infection overwhelmed his system and caused organ failure. Nearby family surrounded him in his last hours. I held him close as he drew his last breath.
He turned 88 in the ICU, and had many cards, banners, balloons from family, friends and staff. We are a truly blended family: Paul's first wife (my friend) Flo died a day and a half prior to my husband's death in May of '84. Paul and I married in July of '85. His oldest son Dave is married to Kathy and they have Alex and Julia, and live in Spotsylvania, VA. Next is daughter Gail and she is married to David and have a daughter, Zoe, and live in Portland, OR. Son Tom, Paul's youngest, lives in Sterling. Paul assumed fathering responsibilities with my 3 children and they all loved him deeply. Tanya is my oldest daughter and she lives in Farmville with her husband Mike, and sons Cassidy and Jeremy and daughter Anna. Our 2nd daughter Robin lives in Reston with her husband Chip, and sons Peter and Colin. And, most of you know Scott, who lives in San Carlos, Costa Rica. Paul also leaves behind a brother, Tommy, from Oklahoma, and had a sister, Charlotte, who just passed away recently and, like Paul, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Paul was born in Boston, attended Harvard College until called into active duty in the Army. He served in the 346th Infantry Reg. in the Battle of the Bulge. He was called back to the states in '45 to attend USMA at West Point and graduated in '49. He earned a MSE in E.E. from U. of MI; a diploma from AF Industrial College; and, a MS in Bus. from GWU. He served in Korea as a Signal Corps officer with the 7th Infantry Division in '50-'51, landing in Inchon as part of the drive to the Yalu River and the Hungnam evacuation. He also was an Asst. Professor at USMA, E.E.; the Deputy Comm. of Far East Research Office in Tokyo; Ex. Officer of Army Research office at Duki; Commander of the 69th Signal Battalion in Vietnam; Program Mngr. for surveillance and communications with Adv. Research Projects Agency; and, Commander of the Strategic Combat Command - Taiwan. He also was Staff Asst. with Office of Sec of Defense, responsible for testing of communications, surveillance and satellite systems. Awards: Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retirement from the Army, Paul joined TRW Corp as a member of their technical staff in the communications area.
Above all, Paul was an incredibly loving and supportive husband, father, brother, son and friend. He lived an extraordinary full and joyous life up until the end, and we are so blessed and thankful for his life here with us. He was a true officer and a gentleman.
Churches: Vienna Presb., United Christian Parish - Reston and currently Galilee United Methodist's Chapel at L.W.
Music: He was a clarinetist in the Northern Virginia Symphony and Fairfax City Band until deafness caused him to withdraw from active playing.
Gettysburg home: He and Pat built a retirement home there in '89, and used it ofter but chose to stay put in their loving family of Blue Ridge friends and beautiful condo.
Cabinetry: Paul was an accomplished furniture designer, refinisher and cabinet maker
Activities at L.W.: Fitness center, wood working club, chat group, opera presentations, Blue Ridge Pot Lucks and Cocktails on the Patio, Current Events, Writer's Group, Gourmet Club, Thai Chi, Rules Committee.
I thank each and every one of you for your fervent prayers, cards, notes, e-mails, calls, food to help feed my hungry family who supported Paul through his 2 1/2 weeks of hospitalization.
I love you all!
Pat
A public visitation will be held on Sunday, May 27th, from 2-5 p.m. at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA.
Funeral services at Fort Myer Chapel and interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery Service will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy. #100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or Loudoun Interfaith Relief 750 Miller Dr. Suite A1 Leesburg VA 20175.
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