James Eugene Montgomery
October 1, 1920 - June 30, 2010
Obituary
James Eugene Montgomery
Born in Hammond, IN on October 1, 1921
Departed June 30, 2010 and resided in Normandy Park
VISITATION: Bonney-Watson, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 98188, on Wednesday, July 7th, from 4 to 7 PM. ROSARY: will be held at 7 PM
FUNERAL MASS: Thurs., July 8th, 10AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 15236 21st SW, Burien, WA
RECEPTION: to follow at Unity Place, St. Francis of Assisi, 11 AM
BURIAL: with Military Honors on July 8, 2010, at 1:30 PM at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240 St, Kent, WA 98042-4868
Beloved husband and father Jim Montgomery died peacefully in his sleep at Garden Terrace, Federal Way, on June 30, 2010. He is sadly missed.
Born October 1, 1921 to Cletus and Theresa Montgomery in Hammond, IN, Jim grew up in Montgomery, IN with two brothers and three sisters all of whom he outlived.
Jim’s college studies at Purdue University were suspended when he volunteered to serve as with the Army Air Corps’ Thunderbirds in Phoenix, AZ during World War II. There he trained American, English and Nationalist Chinese military pilots to fly. After the war, Jim returned to Purdue and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. Soon after, he took a job with the Boeing Company in Seattle where he stayed for 36 years until retiring in 1984. Working mostly in the Flight Controls group, he worked on programs such as the B-47, the B-52, the Minuteman ICBM, the U-2, and the Lunar Orbiter. He spent almost his entire career in support of critical national programs.
In 1942 in Phoenix, AZ, Jim married Phyllis Hyde, a 2nd-generation college-educated home economist. They had four children together: two sons Jimmy and Johnny and two daughters Carol and Nancy. Sadly, Jim lost Phyllis to a cerebral aneurism when she was only 34. Within the year he suffered the additional loss of their infant son Johnny to pneumonia. A cradle Catholic and faithful father, Jim managed to keep the family together, surviving some rough years as a single parent.
Jim eventually met and married June O’Connell Jones: widow, nurse, artist and mother of 5-year-old Sharon. Jim was a good father to his new family. Within a year of their union, Jim and June had a son, Michael.
Jim loved the Pacific Northwest’s scenery, enjoying hunting, camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and gardening. In later years, he became an active Boy Scout parent and volunteer. He passed on that love of the great outdoors to his children and grandchildren.
We fondly remember his dry, sometimes pointed sense of humor: ‘Do you have something to say or do you just want to talk?’ ‘Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.’ ‘That’s a lazy man’s load.’ ‘Two Buck Chuck; it’s not bad.’ ‘FIsh and visitors have a lot in common: After 3 days they both stink.’ And ‘A fire is worth three moves.’
On retirement, Jim became very active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He traveled extensively both nationally and internationally while June was able. He enjoyed gardening and hybridizing dahlias; art history classes with June; rock collecting; making his famous blackberry jam which he shared with his children and grandchildren; and swimming 1, 000 yards almost daily until he was 87. He spent many retired years as a dedicated husband to June whose health steadily deteriorated; she died in 2004. In this regard and others, he left his children and grandchildren an example of loyal fatherhood.
Battling Parkinson’s Disease and Osteoporosis, Jim moved to assisted living in 2008, where his rigorously polite and gentlemanly manner endeared him to care-giving staff, and he became a beloved, though independent-minded resident.
James E. Montgomery is survived by his IMMEDIATE FAMILY:
and James Francis Jim and his wife Rebecca Montgomery, AZ
Carol Esse and her shepherd Sweetie, AZ;
Nancy Montgomery, her husband Jack Vreeland, and their Schnauzer Nell, ME;
Sharon Sam Montgomery and her husband Jim Hamilton, WA;
Dr. Michael Mike Montgomery and his wife Leslie Patten, CA;
FIVE GRANDCHILDREN: Edward Ed Esse, James Esse, Jennifer Richardson, Michael P. Montgomery and Pascale Montgomery.
NINE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Ed’s children: Krista, Quade and Jackie Esse, CA.
James’s children: Anthony and Joseph Esse, WA.
Jennifer’s children: Noah, Jacob, Therese and Francis James Richardson, WY.
Jim’s legacy in support of national programs continues: Daughter Sharon joined him in a Boeing career; and son Jim also spent almost his entire career in national defense. Son Mike now teaches at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
Jim’s disciplined physical fitness and competitive spirit endure as well: Daughter/doll-maker–artist-crafter Carol has logged countless miles as a marathoner and hiker; and daughter/graphic-designer Nancy biked Iowa’s Ragbrai. Three generations of Jim’s descendents enjoy running and walking, marathons, cycling, and swimming.
In lieu of flowers, MEMORIAL GIFTS may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society and sent c/o St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 15226 21st Avenue SW, Burien, WA 98166
I have 2 beautiful yellow flower pictures that were painted by Phyllis Hyde. Was she Jim’s first wife? I inherited them from my aunt in Seattle and am interested in finding out more about the artist.
We’re sorry for your loss and sorry we couldn’t make the trip out. We will miss him too, but know he is truly in the most happiest of places for eternity.
A very nice tribute was written here for his obit. Our best regards to you.
Henry and Nancy
Many memories from the Luner Orbiter Program, The Boeing Air Bearing Lab, the Boeing Inertial Guidance Lab, and the “18-41” Building.
Gerry M.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all family and friends of Uncle Jim.