Monroe Reese Sullivan

Monroe Reese Sullivan, Born in Wagoner, OK, to Amos Monroe and Sarah (Reese) Sullivan on July 7, 1937.  Monroe graduated as Salutatorian from Hulbert HS in 1955, and from Northeastern State University in 1959.  There he met and married Betty Hert and together raised daughters Cynthia and Melissa Ann.  Monroe began his teaching career in Guthrie, OK before moving to Missouri where he taught and coached in Stoutland and Lebanon before coming to a Pryor HS in 1968.  Until his retirement, he taught history, government, and coached football, wrestling and tennis. After retiring from PHS, Monroe began working for the Cherokee Nation Housing Authority.  In 1968, Monroe was awarded a fellowship to study Political Science, Sociology and Economics from Berkeley College in California.  After retiring from PHS, Monroe began a career working for the Cherokee Nation Housing Authority.  For 17 years he helped buy land, purchase, and build houses for first-time home buyers.  Monroe loved traveling.  He, Betty, and his girls along with their spouses traveled the world.  Monroe and Betty even took 16 HS girls to Europe in the summer of 1969!  Monroe was a deacon at FBC Pryor for more than 40 years, an honored position he took seriously.  His love for his family was only surpassed by his love and service to the Lord.  He was a man of God who walked the walk.  An honor he was given was to lay hands and pray over his nephew, Shawn Sullivan, when he was ordained as a deacon too.  At First Baptist Church Pryor he saw both his daughters baptized, served as lead deacon, and sat through several piano recitals.  Monroe loved Falls Creek and not only served as a counselor, but also a cook for the FBC teens.   Monroe was an avid bird hunter.  He walked and hunted the fields of Mayes County with his best friend and hunting buddy, Raymond Jarboe.  He was a member of Quail Forever, Lyons Club, and PHS Booster Club.  He collected firearms and could be found at the Tulsa Gun shows helping Mike Kennedy at his booth.   Monroe spent his free time going to garage sales in search of fishing rods to be donated to young people wanting to learn to fish.  (He secretly did not like to fish). A proud family man, Monroe looked forward to the first weekend in August when the Sullivans had their family reunion, first near Davis, OK and finally at Dixie Point on Lake Eufaula.  Food, games, watersports, and endless stories!  Monroe passed from his earthly body to a heavenly one on January 9, 2024. 

He was preceded in death by this parents, Amos Monroe, and Sarah (Kitty) Sullivan; his in-laws, Wayne, and Ann Hert; two brothers, James Sullivan, and Ron Sullivan; and one grandson, Mark Swinehart.  Monroe is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Betty, of the home; daughters Cynthia Swinehart and Tim of the home; and Melissa Wyatt and Donnie of Broken Arrow.  One Brother, Charles Sullivan, and wife Gladys of Chandler OK; sister Louise Gammons of South Carolina, and sister-in-law Cindy Sullivan of Claremore.  Two grandsons, Cody Wyatt and wife Kristin of Talihina, and Sean Wyatt and wife Meghan of Broken Arrow.  Eight great grandchildren:  Mylee Wyatt, Drew Wyatt, Jack Wyatt, Blayklee Wyatt, Caroline Wyatt, Liam Wyatt, Baker Wyatt, and James Wyatt.  He was Uncle Mo or “Bud” to numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be missed, but he leaves a legacy of love and examples of service to others.  “Come on in my good and faithful servant “