MONTGOMERY -- George "Monty" Montgomery, 59, died on January 28, 2007, due to complications following open-heart surgery. Born in Charleston, WV on November 6, 1947, George's brilliance was early recognized, with him starting 1st grade at age 4 and graduating from high school at age 15. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from West Virginia University before being sent to Vietnam, where he served as highly decorated 2nd lieutenant from 1969-71. Following Vietnam, George moved to Albuquerque where he obtained a Master's Degree in Architecture, and that is where he met Rose and began their 31-year love and friendship on August 2, 1975. Wanting to get both of their careers on track, they waited to have their children, and joyously welcomed Brian in 1984, Colin in 1987, and Meghan in 1992. Monty worked as an Architect, both in others' offices and in his own private practice, some of his works including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, NM, and the Vigil Law Offices by Old Town, as well as a host of other houses and businesses. In the past several years, Monty worked for the BIA Southern Pueblo Agency and most recently was Facilities Manager at the Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute. Monty was the ultimate family man, totally dedicated to his wife and children. He gave them a strong, solid foundation on which they will be able to continue to grow and thrive. Words that are frequently said about George include "honorable", "good", "kind" and "spiritual." These and many more cannot describe the wonderful human being that he was. His passion was books and learning, which can be attested to by the thousands of books in his house, and a pile of at least 20 at his bedside that he read simultaneously. George could speak about any subject, the more obscure the better, with ease and thoughtfulness. His favorite topic was books about spirituality, the meaning of life, and enlightenment. I believe that he has now found the answers to these questions. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Rose; children Brian, Colin, and Meghan; granddaughter, Natalie and her mother, Hannah Brownell; brother-in-law, Michael Baldasarre; cousins, Beth Glover, James Trimble, and George David Trimble; and dear friends Michael and Sandra Jerome, Patricia and Christopher Briggs, Jeannie Jurgensen, and Tim and Chris Brown, just to name a few. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church on Carlisle and Comanche, followed by a reception at the church. The Service will be a sharing and celebration of George's life, so anyone who would like to share a memory of George is invited to do so. Donations can be made to the George Montgomery Library Fund, which will provide books to underprivileged schools.


Published on February 03, 2007 Reprinted from the Albuquerque Journal.com