Monte Rex Bitner, 80, passed away on May 31, 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. Monte was born on November 3, 1937 in Ehwood, Indiana, raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and after graduating from Donaldson High School, moved to Springfield, Tennessee. In 1961 he moved his family to Quincy, Florida and lived in Gadsden County the rest of his life. Monte loved country music. He was the guitarist for a band that played at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and began working as a radio station disc jockey in Springfield. He always loved the early morning radio show and felt it was a key time to attract listeners and keep them for the remainder of the day. He was the General Manager of WCNH Radio in Quincy and another station in Havana, Florida until the early 1990s, when Monte and two partners started a new station back in Quincy, WGWT 93.3 FM “Classic Country.” He continued managing and also producing his early morning show known as “Monte in the Morning” until the station was sold in 2012. He may not have been a familiar face to some, but his distinctive radio voice was widely recognized. Monte was also fondly known by many simply as Coach. In addition to his music and radio interests, he loved sports and could be found at about any sporting event in Quincy. No matter what time of year or sport being played, be volunteered to coach. From little league football to America Legion Post 84 baseball, estimates are that over 20 years, he coached more than a thousand young people in football, baseball, basketball, and softball. Monte was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Doris Ruth Bitner and his stepson Mike Todd. He is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years Patricia (Pat) Todd Bitner, daughter Gracie Boone of Tallahassee, son Rick Bitner (lris) of Havana, stepdaughter Sue Friddle of Bradenton, sister Miriam Boyd of Wagener, SC; brother Mark Bitner of Nashville, granddaughter Kelly Bitner of Denver, CO; stepgrandson Nick Todd of Bradenton, nephew Bart Bovd of Bedford, VA; niece Rebecca Bord of Wagener, SC; former wife Mattie Phillips of Havana, and a host of friends and loyal radio listeners. Visitation will be Thursday morning, June 7, 2018, in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church in Quincy, Florida. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:30 and provide an opportunity for them to speak to pay tribute to Monte from 11:30 to noon. Private interment services will be held at a later date. Independent Funeral Home, (850) 875-1529, of Quincy is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or to the First Baptist Church of Quincy P.O. Box 70, Quincy, FL 32353.