Michael "Mike" Gene Monk

Michael Gene Monk of North Little Rock, Arkansas died on Monday, January 30, 2023 at the age of 66 years after a 3 month battle with metastatic cancer. He was born on November 1, 1956 to Don and Mary Monk in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mike was a life-long resident of North Little Rock. He was a proud graduate of NLR Ole Main in the Class of 1975. Mike was preceded in death by his parents: Mary Monk in 1992 and Don Monk in 2015, and step mother Loretta Ruple Monk in 2020.

Growing up, Mike excelled in sports playing football and baseball all the way through high school. As an accomplished athlete Mike was offered numerous athletic scholarships and in the end chose Arkansas Tech University to play football. In his later years Mike enjoyed the outdoors, camping and fishing with his family on Mount Magazine, going to the beach and traveling west to Arizona to visit family; he loved being on the road seeing all the sights. Mike also truly enjoyed playing golf with his friends. He, along with his father and friends, hunted quail for many years. As an animal lover, Mike treasured all his dogs and cats that he had over the years and loved working with and training his many bird dogs.

Mike was a truck driver for more than 40 years, retiring from Ryerson after 30 years. He loved being out on the road enjoying the beauty that God created, he always said that was where he felt closest to God.

Mike is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol Narbutowich Monk and his daughter, Katie Monk Anderson, and son–in-law, Andy, all of North Little Rock. He is also survived by his sister, Pamm Monk Treece (Scott) of Alma, Arkansas; step brother, Ron Ruple (Marisa); step sister, Jan Heslep (Jeff); step brother, Eddie Ruple (Andrea); step sister, Amanda Bowers (Clark); nephew, Tyler Monk Treece (Lindsey) niece, Maggie Treece Murders (PJ), and niece, Taylor Ann Craig, along with numerous cousins including Rob Foster (Liz) of Phoenix, Arizona.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 10, 2023, from 4:00-5:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life from 5:00-6:00 pm at Smith Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choosing in memory of Mike Monk.