John Eldon Montgomery, of Lawrence, Kansas, died December 26, 2015. For 90 years he blessed those around him with his passion for living.
John was born in Junction City, Kansas, on August 3, 1925, the only child of Chris and Esther Oegerle Montgomery. John enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, prior to his graduation from high school in Junction City, Kansas in 1943. He served in the Navy until April 14, 1946, and was the tail gunner on two aircraft carrier dive bombers. Taking part in such World War II operations as Wake Island, Truk Atoll, Saipan, and Iwo Jima, John experienced 327 carrier take-offs and 326 landings. At the end of the war, he was in the Philippine Islands, awaiting a possible allied invasion of Japan in a Normandy-like operation.
Following his discharge from the Navy, he attended Kansas State University and Kansas Wesleyan in Salina, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree. Later, he earned his master’s degree from Kansas State University. John began teaching in Junction City, where he married Patricia Jean Platt in 1954. They moved first to Limon, Colorado, then to Great Bend in 1956, where John taught school at Roosevelt Junior High School until his retirement in 1989. He took great satisfaction in instructing students in drivers’ education courses and coaching a variety of athletic teams. In 2005, John and Patricia moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Since retiring, John and Patricia enjoyed traveling and spent their winters in Mesa, Arizona, and summers in Estes Park, Colorado.
John is survived by his wife, Patricia, of Lawrence; son, Steve (Jane), of Spring Hill; daughter Terri Schenkel (Steve), of Great Bend; and son, Chris (Margaret), of Richmond, Virginia; as well as seven grandchildren.
John loved sports and reveled in the transformation of his beloved KSU Wildcat football team from doormat to national power. He and Patricia attended countless sporting events and cheered for their children and so many others during their many years in Great Bend. John’s distinct voice could be heard in the largest of crowds. He watched every pitch of the 2014 post-season run by the Kansas City Royals to the World Series. John never tired of telling how he sank a long putt or chipped in to win a coke from his golfing buddies. His love of golf was passed down from his father and on to John’s sons and grandsons. John was an avid reader and never content to accept others’ versions of history. He did his own research. John was strong and of an independent mind with clear opinions he would share, sometimes without invitation. He will be so missed. Jeezel Peezel!
A visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost in Lawrence on January 3, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Graveside services will be at Marion Cemetery on January 4, 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Great Bend First Congregational United Church of Christ on January 5, 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church/UCC Women’s Fellowship, 3400 21st Street, Great Bend, KS 67530; or to Midland Hospice, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66066.
Sure sorry to learn of the loss of Johnny as we called him in high school. He was a senior when I was a freshman. The football coach paired us together…..he was an excellent athlete and FAST!!!!! My sincerest sympathy.
Clarence Erichsen
Class of 1946
Although I didn’t attend Roosevelt, I was lucky enough to have Mr. Montgomery for Driver’s Ed one summer. He was one of a kind… the best kind.
I attended RJH in the 80’s (class of ’86) and I remember Mr. Montgomery well. He was an awesome teacher and did not mess around! His paddle and his rules and his voice reminded you as needed that he expected you do do what was expected! He always took time with his students and really seemed to care about our progress in his classes and life. RIP Mr. Montgomery! Sending warm thoughts and prayers to your family during this time.
To the Montgomery Family.
I am very sorry for your loss. Mr Montgomery was so much to so many. I was the 7th Leeper to be blessed to have him as a teacher & coach at Roosevelt. As a teacher and coach, he taught us life lessons I have happily passed on to my students. I remember being back in GB for a football game and hearing that unmistakable roaring laugh. I was so excited when he recognized me immediately. I have often shared stories of Mr Montgomery with my students. I am so thankful for his contribution to my life.
It always has been and always will be MR. Montgomery. I wrote him a letter a few years ago to express my appreciation for all he stood for and did for me and other students. He answered my letter and it was though only a day had passed. I am privileged to have known him and been a student upon which he left a life long impression. Roosevelt Jr High would not have been the place it was without him. He was truly a unique individual and a hero, in my book!
Paul Leeper
Rough Rider ’66-’69
John was one of those very few teachers that leave a concrete impact in your life. If you were one of his students, you remember him, unlike so many teachers you forget about, John was truly one of a kind, he will be missed dearly but he will never be forgotten.
Former student Steven Reed.
Pat and family, We remember the “good old days” teaching in Great Bend and part of those days is remembering all the great, hardworking teachers we worked with during that time. John was one of a kind, a teacher who was respected and had the most wonderful laugh. We are sorry for your loss, but I know you have many good memories.
I also attended his classes at Roosevelt Jr. High in Great Bend. He was short, loud and precise, perfectionist and carried a large wooden paddle and did not hesitate to use it on the boys and girls.
I loved Mr. Montgomery’s classes, I shared his passion for history. He made a huge impact on his students and was a truly gifted educator. To this day, I can still hear and see him in that classroom with his loud booming voice, grabbing his students attention and making sure everyone knew what was happening. He was one of a rare breed of educators, sorely missed.
Our condolences to Patricia and family.
From new neighbors at Chipperfield.
My condolences to the family. A great man who effortlessly commanded your attention and respect. A life well lived. Children well raised. Rest well Mr. Montgomery.
Chris,
Sorry for your loss, it’s hard to loose a Dad, Father& Friend. Maybe our Dads are now re-living old times together!Thoughts and Prayers
Scott & Leilani
Terri, so sorry about your dad. You and your family are in my prayers.
Patricia, We are saddened by John’s passing. While we have not seen you and John for many years, I always enjoyed your Christmas cards. I know you and your family will miss him, and hope you find peace in your memories and God’s comfort. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Jane Oegerle Alonzo, Jim,Oegerle
And our families
Memories of a great man and educator who touched the lives of our children.
It is not how tall you stand or how much you can lift that determines your strength it is the compassion and love in your heart that makes you strong!!!! Mr. M told that to me the day I told him I made the boys basketball team my 9th grade year at RJH. As a female on the boys team I encountered a lot of jealousy he was always there with a smile a pat on the back and a few times on my papers he would give me shooting tips!!!! He was a teacher who pushed you to be better and loved telling you about our country’s history…. He will be missed and there will never be an other one like him!!!!!
My condolences to the family. I always had great respect for Mr. Montgomery. I remember studying the religions of the world and learning all the countries of the world in his class. He told us some stories of his time in the Navy, and when they were in the Antarctic area and the difficulties with the cold. Rest in Peace.
To the Montomery family,
I came to Roosevelt Jr. High in 1972 as principal. One of the first persons to come to my office to meet me was John. I was his principal all those years until he retired in 1989. He and I had much in common since I was a history teacher like he was prior to coming to Roosevelt.He was always very supportive of me even if he did not always agree with my actions. He really liked students and was a strong supporter of our Roosevelt staff. He was a strong disciplinarian and I well remember at our assemblies in the auditorium, he would walk up and down the aisles making sure students were well behaved. He loved history, but he never talked much about his WWII actions. He was a neat man and gentleman and good friend. He added so much to the Great Bend community. May God comfort you all during this time of your loss. I will see you Tuesday at the service.
John was one in a million…what a delightful guy and wonderful colleague at Roosevelt JHS, Great Bend, Ks. He caught my husband passing a note to a girl in class and both received swats. He delighted in telling THAT story. John was a dearheart and he lived life to the fullest Patricia was a lucky lady. He will be remembered by so, so many in Great Bend for sure. God rest your soul. Education for all was so important to John. I am thankful I could call him a colleague but most of all “my friend!” Bless John and all of his family.
Mr. Montgomery was a great teacher and person. You could always hear him coming with the paddle or that laugh of his. I never saw him without a smile on his face.
Rest well Mr. Montgomery. You touched many lives.
Mr Montgomery was an interesting teacher. Loved my History class with him. He also was great at keeping everyone in line at RJH. My condolences to the family.
John was a great teacher, coach, mentor and human being. He was my first inspiration for joining the Marine Corps. Although he was a bit short in stature…..his personality was always at least 10 feet tall.
Go rest high on that mountain Sir……you will be missed.
Sincerely,
Curtis R. Kuhn
C.M.T. – E.L.A.
A.A., B.S., M.S., PH.D.
CLASS OF 1972
Mr Montgomery was one of the best teachers at RJH. My condolences to the family, he was truly one of a kind!!
Our prayers go out to this family.
Extending my sympathies to John’s wife, Patricia, former neighbors of mine.
John and his wife Patricia have been our neighbors here on Chipperfield Road for the past 8 years. We enjoyed being neighbors and also for several years in Mesa, AZ.
We will miss John so much!!
To the Montgomery family,
Mr. Montgomery was a lighthouse for me during my Roosevelt years 1966-1969. He noticed my academic potential when other teachers ignored the diamond in the rough. Mr. Montgomery supported and challenged me to be a good student and person.
Gilbert Brown
Class 72