Funeral services for Jesse Michael "Monroe" Clarke, 77, of Moscow, Texas will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Bro. Lesly Wilkinson officiating. Interment will follow at the Harding Family Cemetery in Moscow, Texas. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., before the service begins, at the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Jesse Michael "Monroe" Clarke was born June 22, 1948, in Houston, Texas to William H. Clarke and Jessie Melba "Sis" (Wright) Clarke, and passed away at his home on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Monroe attended school in Houston, but whenever he wasn't in class, you could find him in East Texas. When asked his name, "Monroe Clarke, lover, fighter, and wild bull rider from the home of the brave and land of the free — Moscow, Texas."  The day Monroe graduated from Milby High School, he moved to Moscow and began working at United Gas Pipeline in Goodrich. He later joined his good friend, William Morrison, in the trucking business, then purchased his bulldozer (Puss) to work in construction until his retirement.

However, Monroe was best known for his ventures outside of work. A lover of the outdoors, he was a proud member of the Peach Tree Hunting Club in Chester for fifty years. Ladies: big, little, short or tall, he loved'em all.  He made many rounds on the dance floor and an old friend remarked she always felt safe with Monroe around. Therefore, it only made sense that he was working the door at Goat Hill when it reopened in 2003.

In later years, Monroe faced health challenges with resilience and humor. He found out heart surgery was hard to recover from, but with a niece like Putt, the hospital staff cut him a little slack. His sidekick Brutus was there to help keep him in line; even at a young age, he made sure Monroe was tended to.

Behind the gruff exterior, big beard, and trademark overalls and hat, Monroe had a soft spot for his family — especially the babies. He spent most days surrounded by family & friends that were like family.  In his final chapter, Monroe was at peace. He shared that he and Jesus had been friends for a long time and he made plans to apologize to his Mom for some of those long nights he once put her through.

Monroe is survived by his favorite person on earth, Brayden "Brutus" Dobson; brothers David "Joe" Clarke of Moscow and Jerry "Scrooge" Clarke of Lufkin; sister Penny Evans of Moscow; nephews and nieces, Brian Barnes of Nacogdoches, Homer Barnes of Moscow, Josh Clarke of Chester, Jerri Kay Boyd of Salado, Jay Clarke of Moscow, David "Fatman" Evans of Corrigan, and Ondey Clarke of Lufkin. He is proceeded in death by his parents and brothers Bill and Mark (Hocky) Clarke.

Pallbearers: Brayden Dobson, W.R. Baker, Homer Barnes, Josh Clarke, Jay Clarke, & Fatman Evans

Honorary Pallbearers: Lewis Milner & Calvin Fuller