George Arthur Montgomery

George Montgomery

George Arthur Montgomery was born August 30, 1936 in Putnam County, Missouri to George Daniel and Hazel Alvira (Alexander) Montgomery. His childhood was spent southwest of Unionville, Missouri on a farm with his parents and siblings Bill, Mary, Glen, Marie, and Jean. Early in life, he learned to work hard, a trait that carried through all his life. He graduated from Unionville High School in 1954.
Arthur was a patriot and a proud American. He was honored to serve in the Iowa National Guard from 1959 to1964. During that time, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6).
Once he was old enough to drive a semi truck, he discovered his lifetime occupation, which he did until he retired in 1998. For a time, he worked for David Bruce at the Bruce Service Tire Shop, thinking of David as a brother. At the same time, he drove the school bus from Powersville to Unionville High School. This was where he met his wife, Patty Stark. They have celebrated 51 years together.
In 1965, the family moved to Norwalk, Iowa where he started driving a semi-truck for Shell Oil Company. They moved to Altoona, Iowa in 1971 and lived there until Shell closed their operations in Des Moines. After driving a semi truck loaded with gasoline or diesel on ice and snow-covered roads for several years, Arthur decided he would like to escape these harsh conditions. They moved to Kearney, Missouri in 1977 thinking the weather would be better. Apparently God had another plan because that year was one of their worst for snowfall. On July 12, 1978, they moved to Lorena, Texas and got away from the ice and snow. He drove for Farmland Industries until they closed their Waco terminal. For Farmland alone, he drove 261,661 miles without an accident.
After Farmland, he switched to hauling milk for Associated Milk Producers Incorporated, taking him back to his country roots. His life came full circle when he went to work for AMPI. Early in his career, he had a milk route requiring him to go to the dairy farms and pick up the milk in cans. Now he was picking up milk in a semi truck. AMPI was the last company he worked for until he retired.
After his retirement Arthur enjoyed serving as a Deacon with Lakewood Christian Church. He was looking forward to being an Elder, when health issues prevented it. Later on, Richfield Christian Church welcomed Arthur and Patricia as members, comforting them during Arthur’s last years.
Arthur is survived by his wife Patricia; three daughters, Brenda and her husband, Hayes Saxon, of Cedar Park, Texas, Barbara and her husband, Darrell Campbell, of Tyler, Texas, and Bonnie and her husband, Shaun Bain of The Woodlands, Texas, six grandchildren, Heath and Reese Saxon, Mollie, Mark, and Madison Campbell, and Isabelle Bain.
Arthur is also survived by his brother and three sisters, Glen Montgomery and his wife, Joyce of Unionville, Missouri, Mary Finkenbiner of Waco, Texas, Marie and her husband, Lester Hash of Plattsburg, Missouri, Jean and her husband, Dennis Adamson of Indianola, Iowa and sister-in-law Tunnie Montgomery, of Sevierville, Tennessee, brothers and sisters-in-law, Duane and Virginia Stark of Des Moines, Iowa, Michael and Marilyn Plummer of Des Moines, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Arthur in death were his parents, George and Hazel Montgomery, older brother, Bill Montgomery, brother-in-law, Richard Finkenbiner, nephew, David Montgomery, fathers-in-law, Okle (Short) Stark, Robert Morrison, and mother-in-law, Mary Stark Morrison.
Arthur's family would especially like to thank those at Alzcare who provided him with compassionate care during his struggle with dementia. In his final days before he went to meet the Lord, his wife and three daughters found comfort knowing he would soon be at peace and no longer suffering. Arthur passed away April 22, 2012.
Funeral services for George Montgomery, 75, formerly of Unionville, MO, will be held at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Burial will be at the Unionville Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Richfield Christian Church, Waco, TX, and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565