Norris "Giz" Monroe

Former Lampasas County Judge Norris “Giz” Monroe passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at his home in Lampasas. A lifetime resident of Lampasas County, Norris was born in Lometa, Texas on April 27, 1932, the son of William Jerry and Minnie Marler Monroe. Growing up as a child in the depth of the Great Depression, Norris began working to support his family at an early age, earning money by peddling vegetables out of the family garden, raising chickens to sell, and shining shoes on the streets of Lometa. During World War II, at the age of only 11 years, Norris began working as a type setter for E.C. Lowe in the newspaper office of the Lometa Reporter, where he earned the nickname “Little Gizmo” for his precocious mechanical abilities. This began a career in the newspaper business that would last four decades. Norris continued working for the Lometa Reporter when the business was expanded to include the Lampasas Dispatch Record and eventually all production was moved to Lampasas. Norris served as Editor from 1972 to 1982, during which time the newspaper won many awards in the Better Newspaper Contests of the Texas Press Association including the Sweepstakes Award in the State and the South Texas Associations. Norris also served as Treasurer of the Texas Press Association for a total of ten years. In 1982, Norris became the editor-publisher of the Copperas Cove Leader Press and also opened his own publishing business Monroe Printing & Office Supply, which he operated for eight years. In addition to his long spanning career in journalism, Norris was actively involved in his community. He was chairman of the Lampasas County Democratic Party for 26 years and served as Lampasas County Judge for ten years. He was also a long standing member of the Saratoga Lodge and Kiwanis Club in Lampasas, as well as the Copperas Cove Rotary Club. A devout Christian, Norris was deeply involved in church activities throughout his life. While his professional and civic accomplishments were numerous, it was his family life that was most important to Norris. Affectionately known as “Pop”, he loved spending time with his family, catching catfish, gardening, and raising chickens and sheep. Norris is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Hall Monroe, of Lampasas; daughter Cathy and husband Jim Rasmussen of Leander; grandchildren Wes and Missy Maples of Salado, Brad and Shay Maples of Austin, and Lorri Underwood of Spring; great grandchildren Shelby Jean Maples, Nathaniel Scott Schoepf, and Miles Monroe Maples. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nell Barker Monroe; brother William Norbin Monroe; sisters Norlaine Monroe and Natalyah Monroe Faubion. A funeral service is Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Sneed Funeral Chapel at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas. Visitation is Tuesday May 30, 2017 from 5-7 p.m.