Henry Monroe

Life ended much too early for Precioso, our 18-year-old son Jack – also known as Henry, Jota, Jack Rabbit and Pupcake.  Jack died of an unintended fentanyl overdose on November 1st.  We share his cause of death in the hope that it might somehow spare other families from the incredible heartache and devastation of which we are now experiencing. 

Jack chose his special birth date of 02-20-2000 and passed away on All Saint’s Day, a day to celebrate and commemorate the faithful followers who have since departed.  Jack was baptized as a child of God at Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River.  As a small child Jack was privileged to be cared for in the loving arms of Coco and Genia, then attended Government Hill Spanish Immersion, Romig Middle School, AMYA and graduated from PAIDEIA. He was currently attending UAA.

Behind Jack’s piercing blue eyes and inquisitive smile was an insightful, gentle and compassionate young man.  We, unfortunately, will never know what path Jack would have chosen had he been able to explore the world that lay ahead. His potential was great. He shared a recent glimpse of his future aspiration to study agriculture and botany, “I want to be a farmer.” Jack and his father planted vegetable and flower seeds every spring from which life grew to brighten the garden and feed the table.

Jack was unconditionally accepting of others, affectionate, tender hearted, forgiving and humble.  He was a good and loyal friend to many.  He was silly and loved a good laugh.  Jack was quick witted and quick with his feet.  He loved the fast-paced sports of soccer, basketball and downhill skiing.  He was a wiz at sport statistics and enjoyed a challenging game of cribbage, chess and badminton.  Jack had a passion for historical figures – the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Warren Buffet and Sun Tsu.

Jack especially relished and cherished quality time with his family – dip netting salmon on the Kenai, ice fishing, camping on the Denali Highway, reuniting with extended family on Lake Chelan and the Oregon Coast, skiing Alyeska and Arctic Valley; and, above all, hiking the hills and valleys outside his door. From there will be his eternal resting place.

Henry shared a special relationship with Hope Saelee.  Together they grounded one another and sustained a friendship of pure and simple love, adoration, happiness, patience and forgiveness.

Jack has now joined his beloved grandparents, Paul and Ruth Bartling and Cecil Monroe in the heavenly arms of our Merciful Father.

He is survived by his mother and father, Hertha and Rich, brother Samuel Everett, Grandmother Diane Monroe, sisters Meghan Mannes (Frank) and Elizabeth Filer (Shawn), nephews Oliver and Henrik Mannes, nieces Evelyn and Eva and nephew Caleb Filer, Labradors Lucy and Leny, and his  Thump & Monkey, whom he adored.

A public viewing for family and friends will be held Sunday, November 8th from 3PM – 4:30PM at Evergreen Memorial Chapel at 737 E Street, Anchorage.  There will be a celebration of Henry Jack’s life at a later date.  Please email rmonroe@mtaonline.net if you wish to be notified.

Please contribute your memories  and photos of your friendship with Jack at http://www.mykeeper.com/profile/HenryMonroe/  The family thanks you in advance for taking the time, these memories will be forever cherished.

To honor Jack’s life, and In lieu of donations, the family requests that you please speak to young people about the risks of opioid misuse.