Fred Bethune Monroe Jr.

Fred “Pop-Pop” Bethune Monroe, Jr., age 93, passed away peacefully at home on May 23, 2026. Born October 16, 1932, in Moore County, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Fred Bethune Monroe, Sr., and Lela Jane Fletcher Monroe of West End, North Carolina. Fred was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, and faithful Elder at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.  

While growing up in West End, he helped his family run Monroe Distributing Company and the West End Theater in the 1940s, working in sales and as a projectionist. He graduated from West End High School and then attended North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Wood Products Manufacturing.    

He proudly served his country in the United States Army, serving on the rifle team and in the artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  

Outside his work and education, Fred was known as a master craftsman, capable of building almost anything.  A connoisseur of tools, he applied his talents across architecture, construction, and facility management throughout his career.  He ultimately retired as Director of Facilities and Construction for the Fort Bragg School System.  

Fred also had a deep love of the outdoors and enjoyed spending time in nature throughout his life, including fishing, hunting, and land surveying. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Carol Lee Hatton Monroe; his daughter, Jeanne Monroe Williams, of Aberdeen; his son, Douglas Monroe, and his wife, Nicole, of Carolina Beach; his brother, Dr. John L. Monroe, and his wife, Evelyn; and his cherished grandchildren, Cassi Williams Beech and husband, Josh; Zachary Williams and wife, Rebecca; Logan Williams and wife, Katherine; Cole Monroe; Maggie Monroe; and Emma Monroe. He is also survived by his beloved great-grandchildren, Laneya Williams, James Beech, and Lillian Beech, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:00 am at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Family visitation will follow the service in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The family will hold a private interment at West End Cemetery.

May Fred’s legacy live on through the lives of all those he impacted. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Fred’s memory to one of his favorite organizations:

West End Cemetery, Inc., PO Box 792, West End, North Carolina 27376-0792 — where Fred will be laid to rest, and in recognition of his years of service on the board of directors.

or

NC State University College of Natural Resources Foundation, c/o Office of Gift Planning, Campus Box 7501, Raleigh, NC 27695-7501, in honor of his forestry education at NC State.

Online condolences can be made at PinesFunerals.com.

Powell Funeral Home is serving the Monroe family.