Montgomery, Donald Eugene 1928-2011

MONTGOMERY, NORRIS, MOELLRING, CUTTS, HOFFMAN, ANTHONY

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 8/11/2012 at 13:14:11

Valley Courier, Alamosa, Colorado

DONALD EUGENE MONTGOMERY

ALAMOSA - Donald Eugene Montgomery, 83, died at the Evergreen Nursing Home in Alamosa on July 17, 2011.

Don was born June 24, 1928 to Quinton and Agnes (Norris) Montgomery in Grinnell, Iowa. At an early age he moved with his family to nearby Brooklyn, Iowa where he grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Brooklyn High School and the University of Iowa, majoring in business. He married his college sweetheart Marilyn Moellring in Iowa City, Iowa and they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary last February.

Don began his career in business in Bismarck, North Dakota with the J.C. Penney Company. He subsequently served as assistant manager of the Penney stores in Dickinson, North Dakota and Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1966 he was promoted as manager of the J.C. Penney store in Alamosa. In 1974 he became a partner with L.D. Kavanaugh and Hartley Owsley and later Lee Shirey of Kavleys Department Store.

Don was a member of the Alamosa Kiwanis Club and received the Legion of Honor Award as a 40-year member. He served as a board member, president and Lt. Governor of Division Five. He was also a 43-year member of the Elks Lodge.

He devoted much of his time to community service. He served on the City of Alamosa Personnel Board, Tree Board, Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce Board and was named Citizen of the Year in 1991. He also served on the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center Foundation. He also headed the Mosquito Control Board for many years. He also served on the Cattail's Golf Board and the Board of the Northern New Mexico Senior Men's Golf Association.

He was a member of the Alamosa Presbyterian Church and served as Deacon, Trustee and Elder as well as singing in the choir.

His hobbies were gardening, hunting, woodworking, making hand built clocks, fishing, golfing and he especially enjoyed singing with the Cool Sunshine Barbershop Quartet. He enjoyed traveling, especially touring Northern Ireland, the home of his ancestors.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn Montgomery, sons Douglas Montgomery of Evergreen, Colorado, David (Cynthia Cutts) Montgomery of Alamosa, Colorado, daughter Diane (James) Hoffman of Eugene, Oregon and son Darryl (Deseri) Montgomery of Glendale, Arizona, 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marvin Montgomery and sister LaVerne Anthony.

Cremation was chosen and a Memorial Service will be held at the Alamosa Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 2 p.m. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alamosa Presbyterian Church or the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Foundation.

Arrangements are in care of Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa.