John Roark Monk, Jr.

Funeral services for John Roark Monk, Jr., 89, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Congregational Church with The Reverend Randall K. Green officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the Leesville Cemetery, located in Leesville, Louisiana.

Mr. Monk was born November 7, 1936 in Converse, Louisiana to the late Pearl (Copeland) and J. Roark Monk, Sr., and passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in Lufkin, Texas.

John was a 1954 graduate of Leesville High School and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. While in college, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service on the Kisatchie National Forest and later served in the Army Reserves.

John devoted his professional life to the forestry and timber industry, building a distinguished career that spanned more than four decades across Louisiana and East Texas. He began his career with Dantzler Lumber Company in Mississippi in 1959 and later worked for Owens-Illinois, where he held several leadership roles including Resident Forest Superintendent, Manager of Woodland Services, and Director of Wood Procurement. In these roles, he oversaw timberland management, logging operations, fire control, land transactions, and procurement for major facilities in Lufkin, Jasper, and Orange, Texas.

In 1986, John joined Temple-Eastex (later Temple-Inland), serving as Southern Regional Manager, Operations Manager, and ultimately General Manager, working from offices in Silsbee and Diboll, Texas. He retired on January 1, 2002. During his career, he was instrumental in completing major timberland acquisitions and became the first to purchase million-dollar timber sales from both the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana and the Angelina National Forest in Texas. After retirement, John served on the board of T.L. James Co. of Ruston, Louisiana for several years.

John was deeply committed to professional service and leadership. He served the Texas Forestry Association (TFA) in numerous capacities, including President in 1988, board member, officer, committee chair, and Foundation chair. He also served the Louisiana Forestry Association, eventually being named Director Emeritus. John and his wife, Lynette, were honored as Life Members of both associations, a distinction unique to them. In 2003, John was formally honored by colleagues and friends with a lifetime membership in TFA in recognition of his leadership, integrity, and lasting impact on the forestry community.

A respected mentor and strategist, John was widely admired for his professional integrity, fairness, foresight, and deep knowledge of forest management and wood procurement. Many colleagues considered him one of the most respected forestry leaders in Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.

Beyond his career, John was a Charter Member and Trustee, as well as a faithful servant of his church, Christ Congregational Church, serving on committees and singing in the choir. He also served on the boards of the Angelina Arts Alliance, the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, and other civic organizations. He enjoyed golf, wood carving, tinkering on his Model A Ford, playing the fiddle, and spending time outdoors.

Survivors include his children, Kathy Monk Berroth of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Steven Monk and wife Tami of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Andrea Wright and husband Matt, John Berroth and wife Heather, and Mikayla Monk; great-granddaughter, Stella Wright; brother, Donny Monk and wife Kathy of Pensacola, Florida; sister-in-law, Barbara Monk of Dallas; and a host of extended family and friends who loved and respected him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Lynette Monk; and his brother, Robert Monk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Congregational Church, 105 Saddle Creek Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904 or to a charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.