Kenneth Stratton Monroe

Ken Stratton Monroe was born March 30th, 1981 and passed too soon on April 30th, 2021. Ken's life will be celebrated by his wife Emily Monroe; his miniature dachshunds Chazz and Zoey; parents Rob and Kim Monroe; Grandparents Fred and Ruth Wolf; Grandfather-in-law Frank Kimrey, father-in-law and mother-in-law Walt and Kathy Dudley; brother and sister-in-law Tristan Monroe and Ann Khidekel; his nephew Gene Monroe; as well as countless dear friends, extended family, and colleagues.

Ken was raised in Bay Village, Ohio. He developed an early affinity for sports and the outdoors as an active participant in community league tee-ball, baseball, and basketball. He treasured summer trips to Cedar Point, and spent the balance of his time as a 10-speed based explorer of Bay Village and playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with his younger brother.

As a student at Bay High school Ken was a beloved classmate and teammate as he participated in Cross Country and Track. There he developed a passion for music as a trombonist in the marching band, orchestra, stage band, jazz ensemble and spirit band. These interests would continue to shape and grow through his adult life.

After high school Ken enrolled at Ohio University. During his time there he met his future wife Emily, a student at The University of Findlay, introduced by a mutual friend. They quickly fell for each other, and continued their relationship fueled by weekend visits by way of Greyhound Bus, prepaid phone cards, and AOL Instant Messenger.

Before Ken's junior year he transferred to The Ohio State University. There he took Emily on the hallowed Ohio State Tradition, of "The Long Stroll". For those not familiar, if you walk hand in hand with your sweetheart from one end of the Oval to the other without crossing another's path that you will be destined to be together forever. At the end of that walk, Ken took to one knee and proposed. They married July 4th, 2003.

Ken was a keen student, earning a bachelor's degree in Physics from The Ohio State University in June 2004, and then on to earn a master's degree in Electrical engineering from Wright State University in 2010.

After completing his Master's degree Ken began work at National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) as an analyst within the MASINT Analysis Squadron. Ken was known as a leader within the squadron on both a professional and personal level. He organized informal golf leagues, building the type of camaraderie that only he could.

Together with his wife Emily, he set off on a series of adventures, traveling to destinations in 40 states, where they visited family, natural wonders, and live shows featuring their favorite bands at unique venues. He was famous for setting goals at each destination, like finding the best fish taco in Hawaii, or the best cup of coffee in Portland. Ken was also an avid golfer, and had a penchant for squeezing a round of golf in during vacations and business trips.

Ken and Emily had a love that was pure and endless. They said, "I love you" every day, laughed together everyday, and they cherished each other everyday. In the simplest words, they are soulmates, and they were everything to each other from one sunrise to the next.

Aside from his achievements, Ken is best known for his insatiable love of life, unrelenting positivity, contagious sense of humor, and above average height.

Family will receive guests from 5-8 PM on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Newcomer Funeral Home, Centerville Chapel (820 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. Dayton, OH 45459) where a funeral service will begin at 8 PM.

In honor of Ken's personal passion, golf attire is appropriate for this occasion. Ken would personally approve of anything from Master's Tournament worthy polos, to throw back attire straight out of CaddyShack. Business casual is also appropriate for non-golfers.

"The State of Ohio is under a mandatory mask order and has required that face mask will be worn in all public places."

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