Douglas Wilbur Monts, Sr., 98, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at his home in Fairfax, SC, surrounded by loved ones.
Doug was born on January 18, 1928, in Plains, Georgia, to Rosalie Douglas Monts and Joseph Holland Monts, Sr.
He attended Americus public schools, where he participated in sports and was on the 1945 state championship football team in his senior year. In his youth, he delivered newspapers on his bicycle, worked as a soda jerk at his father’s pharmacy, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
He was drafted for military service in 1945, and although he was eager to follow in his older brother’s footsteps as an aviator in World War II, the news broke that the war had ended while he was on the train, headed to boot camp. He later served his country for a number of years in the National Guard.
Doug went on to attend and graduate from Newberry College in 1949, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track, while earning a BS in Science and Math. In 1964, he earned his master’s degree at Western Carolina University, and in later years did post graduate work at USC, UNC, Erskine, and Clemson.
Following college, he began his 44 year career in education, where he worked at various times as a high school teacher, principal, superintendent, and coach; serving in schools within Allendale, Florence, Anderson, and Hampton counties in South Carolina.
Of all his years in education, his fondest memories were from the beginning of his career, when he was a teacher, football coach, and track coach for 16 years in Allendale County, bonding closely with his students and winning 5 state championships and 9 conference championships in track and field. Also during this period, his football teams won over 100 games, while having only 2 losing seasons. He was honored one year for his coaching abilities by being selected as a coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
Additionally during this period, he met his future wife, Theresa (Resa) M. Lightsey and had two children. He was a loving and devoted husband, supportive and proud father to his children and proud granddaddy to his grandchildren.
Throughout his life he was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing, and in his retirement, tree farming. His faith was fundamental to him and he was a life-long Lutheran who was active in his church as Sunday School teacher, choir member, council member, usher, and member of various committees. In the community he was a hospice volunteer for many years, and he served in a number of civic and professional organizations.
Doug was a voracious reader and although he was often quiet and reserved, he had a quick wit and loved to tease the people he loved. He also enjoyed sharing stories about his life experiences, particularly hunting and fishing adventures, as well as football games and track meets from the 1950s and 1960s. He would expound at length, reciting minute details about specific games, plays and players from those events, and he was always delighted when he had the privilege to visit with his former players.
Doug was predeceased in death by his parents; his wife of 72 years, Resa Monts; his brother Jody Monts; his grandson, Jonathan Nelson, Jr.; and all but one of his many brothers and sisters-in-law.
He is survived by his son, Douglas (Doug) Monts, Jr. (Sandy) of St. Helena Island, SC; his daughter, Theresa (Freesi) Nelson (Jon); grandsons, Lars Nelson (Grace Spivey) of Lilburn, GA, and Tucker Nelson of Mount Pleasant, SC; granddaughter, Holland Nelson of Mount Pleasant, SC; sister-in-law, Virginia Causey of Fairfax, SC; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank his outstanding team of caregivers, particularly Suzanne Hervey, Retha McQuire and Cynthia Thompson, whose care, love and expertise over the past decade were exceptional. The family would also like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their care and guidance over the last 2 months.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 29,2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.