Gerald M. Montgomery

Gerald M. Montgomery, 80, of Fair Grove passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning at Jacobs Care Facility with his family by his side. He was born in Salem, on July 21, 1941 to Elvie Clinton Montgomery and Cleo Edith (Ward) Montgomery. At the age of seven, his family moved to Cabool, after his father’s death where he would later attend high school. In 1959 he left high school and spent a few years working odd jobs. In February 1963 he enlisted in the Air Force and served time overseas at Wheelus Air Force Base in Libya, North Africa during the Vietnam War. In his free time, he played in a band at the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Club and would also earn his GED before being honorably discharged in 1967.
In September, 1968, he met his future wife, Margaret Olson, and the two were married in the First Lutheran Church in Sarcoxie, on Oct. 24, 1970. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University in December 1974. He worked for the Planning Commission in West Plains and would continue his career in city planning at the city of Springfield where he later retired in 2010.
He was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church in Cabool and later joined the Lutheran Church along with his wife after their marriage.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister JoAnn Harral; brother Jack Montgomery and wife Margaret Montgomery. He is survived by his three children, Christopher Collins and his wife Carrie of Willard; Jeremy Clinton and his wife Laura of Bolivar; and Megan Elizabeth and Joe Whitworth of Republic; six grandchildren; brother Eric Ward and wife Debbie; sister Betty Throckmorton; sister Shirley Kittrell and husband Don; sister-in-law Barbara Kelley and husband Randy and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation was at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at Springhill Baptist Church, Springfield, with funeral service following. Burial followed for family at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Fair Grove, across from his family’s home of 40 years.