R.I.P. Rocket Monroe

[Bobby Simmons]

It is with great sadness I must notify everyone of the passing
of Rocket Monroe. He was my friend for over 40 years and he
will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.

[Rich Tate]

Here is an article I wrote this evening for tomorrow morning's news items.

[Mike Norris]

[dannygoddard]

Rich, that's a great article. I was devastated Monday morning when Bobby Simmons called me. Rocket has pretty much been on my mind ever since. What a friend. I'm glad I talked with him six or seven weeks ago on the phone.

Being near Indianapolis, I was unable to be in Atlanta today for the service but Bobby asked me to write something to be read. Here's most of what I wrote:

A TRIBUTE TO ROCKET MONROE
Although I knew his real name, he was always “Rocket Monroe” to me. We met in the late ‘60s, when I was president of the Sputnik Monroe Fan Club. One summer, my Dad took me from Atlanta to Tampa, Florida to visit Sputnik. I climbed into a station wagon with Sputnik and Rocket Monroe, Saul Weingeroff, and Bill Dromo, and we went on two roadtrips: Eau Gallie on Wednesday night and Jacksonville on Thursday. Never will I forget how we were pelted with Coke bottles by irate fans as we tore out of the Jacksonville Coliseum parking lot. Rocket Monroe was driving the getaway car!
After making a stop down the highway, Rocket asked me to hold something for him. He laid 2 heavy gold World Tag team Championship belts in my lap and I slept under those belts all the way back to Tampa, quite a stir for a 13-year old boy!
During my high school years, Rocket and Flash Monroe were working on the Gulf Coast. Several times, I drove to Dothan, Alabama to see Rocket wrestle on Friday nights. He always took me out to a restaurant after the matches, and then I would drive all night back to Atlanta.
After high school I became the photographer for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Rocket soon came to Georgia. I visited his family many times at their apartment, I believe near Cleveland Avenue, and I either rode with him or drove him to a few shows here and there. In 1976, I went to Nashville to attend college to study for the ministry, and Rocket called one day, needing a place to stay while working Nashville TV. My roommate happened to be gone for the weekend, so Rocket moved in for the night. He left the next morning, and within minutes, three college students knocked at my door. They thought they had seen the wrestler, Rocket Monroe, come out of my dorm room. Not wanting to lie, I just answered, “Now think about it, guys. What would Rocket Monroe be doing in my room?” That seemed to satisfy.

I'm thankful for the opportunity and to be included. I will miss Rocket Monroe.