Fred George Monsour's Obituary
FRED GEORGE MONSOUR
Fred George Monsour was born on October 24, 1910 in Sshreveport, Louisiana and given the gift of eternal life on July 18, 2008 at the age of 97. His parents, John George Monsour and Amelia Abraham Monsour of Shreveport, immigrated from Lebanon. Fred was deeply devoted to his family; he especially cherished his long and wonderful 70 year marriage to the love of his life, Alyce.
In 1935, Fred, his father and brothers, opened the famous Monsour's Restaurant in Shreveport, Louisiana. A friend and frequent customer, former Governor Jimmy Davis, had composed "You Are My Sunshine" which became Fred's signature song. Not only did he sing the song regularly through the years, but Fred was that ray of sunshine to all he met and knew. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II. In 1953 he left the restaurant business and moved to Longview, Alyce's hometown. A year later he opened the doors to Young Town Children's Shop where he enjoyed clothing the East Texas Children for thirty years. Having retired from the retail business, he started a new journey working part time in sales with many wonderful people he considered to be his good friends at Lively Cadillac-GMC. Fred's quote "talk to me" was his signature phrase when greeting his friends and customers, and that phrase continues to fondly repeated by those who knew him. Fred took pride and was truly blessed to be the oldest member of Trinity Episcopal Church which he joined in 1953.
Community service was always a priority in his life. He was a member of Longview Masonic Lodge 404, Waco Scottish Rite Bodies and Sharon Shrine Temple of Tyler. Also, he belonged to the Gregg County Scottish Rite Club where he enjoyed the services and activities. In 2007, he was honored for his fifty years as a Knight of Pythias Lodge 26. There he spent many happy hours playing dominos with his friends. Additionally, he was active in many retail merchant organizations, a member of the Gregg County Historical Museum, Lions Club for three decades, a Boy Scout leader, a member of the American Legion, and a charter member of Classicare of Good Shepherd Hospital. He was an avid supporter and contributor to The Longview Symphony, Greenwood Cemetery Association, and the Danny Thomas St. Jude Children's Society.
Fred's memory will be cherished by his devoted wife, Alyce and his two loving daughters, Gayle Monsour and the late Andrew Monsour of Galveston and Garland Monsour Cohlmia and her husband Dr. Mike Cohlmia of Dallas. He is survived by four very special grandchildren: Kriste Monsour Garrison and her husband Bill of Galveston, Trey Monsour of Dallas, Candace Cohlmia Unger and her husband Michael of Southlake, and Chad Cohlmia of Los Angeles, California. Fred known by his grandchildren as PawPaw is survived by a precious great grandson, Billy Garrison of Galveston. Two sisters, Louise Monsour Busada, her husband Abe and Lillian Monsour of Shreveport survive Fred as well as two sisters-in-law, Azie Thomas Jabour of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Margaret Jabour Thomas of Longview and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Dr. Walter Monsour and Emile Monsour of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Active pallbearers will be: Dr. Michael Cohlmia, Trey Monsour, Bill Garrison, Chad Cohlmia, Michael Unger, Walter Monsour, Jr., George Preston Thomas, Dr. Brad Thomas, Dr. Phillip Thomas, John Wayne Jabour, Bruce Busada, and Barry Busada. Honorary pallbearers will be: Dr. A.G. Thomas, Dr. Ben Mack, Dr, Chris Mack, Dr. Kelly Mack, D.A. Benton, John Popma, Ian Murdoch, John Ray, Gordon Lively, Jr., Joe Knox, Charles Abraham, Ronnie Horaney, Don Massad, George Joseph, Patrick Furlong, Jerry Mayfield, Brian Abraham, Dr. John Murad. Warren Irwin, Jimmy Thomas, Dr. Tommy Thomas, Dr. Andy Mack, Dr. Ed Mack, Dr. Kenneth Glaze, Dick Fuller, Morris Ferrell, Dean Ogilvie, Gordon Lively, Sr., Gary Naifeh, George Haraka, Richard Monsour, Phillip Pool, Jesse Diaz, Abe Busada, Phillip Johnson, John Farr, Dr. Greg Cohlmia, Frank Sitton, Albert Abraham, Judge Alvin Khoury, and Cameron Irwin.
The family will receive visitors Monday, July 21st 6 to 8 pm at Rader Funeral Home. Interment will be Tuesday, July 22nd at 1:00 pm at Memory Park Cemetery followed by a celebration of his life at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2:00 pm with Rev. Kevin Wittmayer officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to: Trinity Episcopal Church, 906 Padon St., Longview, TX 75601 or Beacon Hospice at Margaret's House, P.O. Box 5908, Longview, TX 75608 or to Longview Symphony, P.O. Box 1825, Longview, TX 75606.
The Monsour family deeply thanks Dr. Margaret Schottstaedt and the Beacon Hospice Margaret's House Staff. Special thanks go to Dr. Julia Archer and Sharon, Dr. Larry Frase, Dr. Bryan Williams, Dr. Deborah Phillips, and Dr. Ben Mack.
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