Obituary for Larry Montgomery

Larry Gene Montgomery – Veteran

(October 14, 1946 – December 21, 2016)

Larry Gene Montgomery of Perry died peacefully in his home December 21, 2016. Mr. Montgomery was born October 14, 1946 in Delaware, Oklahoma of the late Laurence Milton Montgomery and the late Alta Lucille (Knight) Montgomery. As a young boy, his family moved to Perry where he grew up and spent the rest of his life. In his younger days, he enjoyed collecting baseball cards, playing sports, and dreaming of fast cars.

Mr. Montgomery graduated from Perry High School in 1967 and joined the U.S. Army where he served from 1967-1969 as a medic during the Vietnam War. While serving, he received a National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksman (riffle M14) Medal. After returning home, he married the love of his life and best friend, the late Janice Marie (Wehling) Montgomery. Together they had three children, Ginger Thomas (Perry, OK), Pepper Rice (Stillwater, OK), and Erik Montgomery (Stillwater, OK). As a father, he was firm, but fair. He was always the first to offer aid to not only his children, but their friends as well.

Mr. Montgomery spent the first part of his career as a general manager for Smith Trucking Services, later working for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation before retirement. In 2008, Mr. Montgomery decided his efforts would be better served to his community and started the first of three consecutive elected terms to Noble County Commissioner District 2 seat. Mr. Montgomery had a strong passion for his community and loved serving his fellow citizens. Mr. Montgomery was very active in his community. He served on the Noble County Sheriff Deputy Reserve for 28 years, served on various boards including 911 board, Noble County Correction Board, Wheatheart Senior Nutrition Board, Community Sentencing Board, Cherokee Transit Board, CED#8, Board of County Commissioners, and the Public Facilities Authority Board. Mr. Montgomery also worked closely with the Main Street of Perry and the Perry Chamber of Commerce in bringing new and innovative ideas to our great town.

Mr. Montgomery was known for always having time to enjoy a piping hot cup of black coffee with his friends, an ornery and prankster on the prowl attitude, making others feel welcome and appreciated, and his impeccable dressing habits- custom Levi blue jeans, Fruit of the Loom one pocket t-shirt, adorned with a plaid or striped button down shirt. He never met a stranger, or maybe he just had a way of making sure people never felt as if they were. As a result of his generous spirit and pleasant personality, he was loved by many and will be missed by many.

Larry Montgomery is survived by his children; Ginger (Montgomery) Thomas and Brian Thomas of Perry, OK., Pepper (Montgomery) Rice and Lance of Stillwater, OK, Erik Montgomery of Stillwater, OK, and Gina Martinez of Perry, OK; brother, Tom Montgomery of Dewey, OK and Lance Montgomery of Perry, OK; sister, Donna Hartley of Perry, OK; five grandchildren (The Fab Five as he called them), Luke Thomas of Perry, OK, Jake Thomas of Perry, OK, Abigail Rice of Stillwater, OK, Annabelle Rice of Stillwater, OK. Max Rice of Stillwater, OK. Also, he is survived by his adopted family from the Noble County Courthouse and the Noble County Sheriff’s Department.

He is preceded in death by his wife and parents.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Kim Hays officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery. The care of the family is entrusted to Trout Funeral Home of Perry. Viewing will start on Monday, December 26 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, with family greeting friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tuesday at 8:00 am till noon. Online condolences may be made at www.troutfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made to Relay For Life of Noble County, Care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th Street, Perry OK 73077.

Source: Trout Funeral Home