Wayne Herman Monger, a resident of Rusk, TX since 2017 and formerly of Lumberton, TX, passed away September 5, 2025, at The Hospice of East Texas in Tyler three months shy of his 87th birthday.  He leaves behind his beloved wife Eula “Lee” Bryant Monger, a daughter and a son, two stepsons, five grandchildren, an extended loving family, and numerous friends who celebrate his long and productive life.  

Wayne, the youngest of five children born to Clyde and Elizabeth Monger, spent his earliest days on a tenant farm in rural Illinois.  At age 3, he moved with his family to join his oldest brother in Beaumont, TX, where all built new rewarding lives free of farm labor and frigid snows.  Wayne graduated from French High School in Beaumont and later attended Lamar State College of Technology (now Lamar University) where he studied accounting. Wayne went on to pursue a career in drafting with Gulf States Utilities which, in 1994, became Entergy.  After retiring from Entergy, he went to work for the City of Lumberton as a building inspector.   

Wayne enjoyed woodworking and building birdhouses. He and his first wife Dolores were proud owners of the Wil-He-Mak’et shop in Lumberton, TX. They chose this name, in part, because co-workers would bring Wayne pictures of a wooden item and ask him to “make it” — and he did! After Dolores passed away in 2002, he married Lee in 2005 and moved to Eureka Springs, AR. Wayne and Lee enjoyed traveling and gardening together. He also took great pleasure in riding his Harley and VW Trike in the Arkansas mountains. What Wayne enjoyed more than anything was fishing with his oldest brother Gene.   

Wayne is survived by his wife, Eula “Lee” of Rusk; daughter, Deborah Monger Tiedemann of Forsyth, GA and her husband Morgan; son, Robert Gene Monger and wife Audra of Dawson, TX; and stepsons, David Bryant and wife Robin of Vidor, TX and Clint Bryant of Beaumont, TX. He is also survived by sister Dr. Joanne Baker of Anderson Island, WA, and sister-in-law Molly Monger of Emory, TX and George Anne Monger of Austin, TX.  Also mourning his loss are Wayne’s five surviving grandchildren: James Michael Arden of Springfield, MO; Zachary Ryan Monger of Seguin, TX; Joshua Lee Achord of Scranton, PA; Zane Jeffery Monger of Barry, TX; and Frankie D’Anne Achord of Forsyth, GA.  He is predeceased by wife Dolores Ann Heise Monger; sister Marie Monger; brothers Gene and Kenneth; and great nephew Hart Mason. He delighted in his three nephews, six nieces, a great nephew, and a great niece.  

Honoring Wayne’s wishes, there will be no formal service.  The family requests donations to the American Cancer Society in his name in lieu of flowers.