Dr. John Richard Montgomery, DVM, 87, of Blue Springs, MO, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 23, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his loving family and wife of 61 years.
John was born May 14, 1933, in Monroe City, MO, the son of Joseph T. and Mary Leola (Hagan) Montgomery. He received his undergraduate and doctorate of veterinary medicine at the University of Missouri.
Dr. Montgomery practiced Veterinary Medicine for over 30 years and founded Montgomery Veterinary Clinic, Blue Springs. John was nominated twice as the greater KC nominee for the Missouri Veterinarian of the Year. He was a member of St. John La Lande Catholic Church, a founding member and Past President of the Blue Springs Rotary Club, and had been honored as the Blue Springs Citizen of the Year. John loved the outdoors, including playing golf, traveling and camping. He was an avid bicyclist, and completed several MS150 and RAGBRAI events. John was known for riding over 5000 miles in a single year.
On January 30, 1960, he married the love of his life, Sue Dierking, in Columbia, MO. Survivors include his wife, Sue Montgomery of Blue Springs, MO, their three children, Bryan E. Montgomery and wife Amy of Florence, AL, Teresa S. Montgomery, Lee’s Summit, MO, Scott A. Montgomery and wife Theresa of Overland Park, KS, his brother Melvin Montgomery and wife Mary Ann, Lexington, MO, five grandchildren, Lane Montgomery, Liza Maxwell, Lauren Montgomery and fiancé Russell Wortham, John “Jack” Montgomery and wife Maddie, and Max Montgomery. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Carolyn, Rita, and Dorothy.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. John La Lande Catholic Church, 805 NW R.D. Mize Rd, Blue Springs, MO, 64015. Due to Jackson County COVID-19 regulations masks are to be worn during services. Memorial contributions in John’s name may be given to Rotary International, PO Box 1412, Blue Springs, MO, 64013, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 6811 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Ste 202, Mission, KS 66202. Memories of John and words of comfort for his family may be shared at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.
We at Blue Springs Rotary have lost one of our most beloved members. What an example he was to all of us. We will miss his great jokes and kind smile and welcoming hand. God speed kind man.
My condolences to the Montgomery family.
Lorrie (Lugert) Gordon
I am heartbroken by this news. John was an extraordinary man and Rotarian. I have loved getting to know him and becoming friends with him through our time as Rotarians together. Blue Springs has suffered a huge loss. Sue- I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers and thoughts. Please let us know if we can help in anyway.
I am so sorry and sad to hear about John’s passing. John and I were Rotarians together. As a new member, John welcomed me with open arms. He always offered a smile and good conversation. He was a Rotarian that we all looked up to, and we were always so happy when he was in town and attending meetings. He truly embodied our motto, “Service above self.” He will be missed.
John loved his family fiercely. He was so proud of all of you and talked of you often.
Sue, I am very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I have fond memories of both of you from my childhood and always thought the world of you both. You are all in my prayers. May memories warm you, God comfort you and peace be with you.
Teresa, I am sorry about your Dad. I didn’t know him except thru the stories you told when we worked together. Thinking of you during this sad time.
Scott, Theresa and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Sue and Teresa and family – I was deeply saddened to read of John’s passing. Going back to those years when there was only one vet, one pharmacist, one dentist, etc., in our little town, Dr, Montgomery was an institution and such a civic booster. I admired him greatly as the epitome of how veterinary medicine should be practiced and am so grateful for the care he offered to our beloved pets and our family. You may not remember, but once he kept our male Siamese for weeks, trying lifesaving treatments and eventually bringing him back to health and calling to return him home to us. He is an important part of our family memories, as is your entire family. Moreover, he led an examplary life in supporting our community and giving back. May warm memories and the love of family and friends be a comfort to you.
My condolences to Sue and family. I’ve lived in BS MO 70 years – John was an extraordinary human being offering care to all he knew through being a veterinarian – Rotarian – cyclist and family man. He will be missed by many. May God grant you peace during this time of grief and memories that will sustain you forever.
Sue, we are so sorry to learn of John’s passing. You both have been dear friends of Kay and I for now more than fifty years. John was my mentor in many ways including introducing me to the Blue Springs Noon Rotary Club. Doc John was a true gentleman and friend. He will be missed greatly!
Sue: Our sincere sympathies to you and the family at this time. This pandemic has kept us apart, however, our memories of friendship, the chasing of ballgames, golfing, our dining together are vivid in our minds and hearts.
John was a true fiend of so many. The Sundvold’s
Sue so sorry to hear of Johns passing
Have many fond memories of John from our association with MVMA as well KC Association many years ago.
Although we are the same age I just happened to be a year ahead of him in veterinary school.
Will always remember the week end he came to my St. Joseph practice to work cattle in the Brucellosis testing
program. John came up from school for the week end but unfortunately wrecked the cattle shut on way to
the country interrupting his entire trip. Thank to Bud Hertzog for information regarding John,s passing ,
Hope to attend visitation this Sat.
Dear Sue, and Teresa and family- So sorry to hear about the loss of such an extraordinary person, friend, and colleague. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Just got word about John. We were classmates in veterinary school at Columbia, Mo. I pray Gods’s comfort for the family.
Dear Sue and family
So sorry to hear about John. Have thought of you and him often this last year as we were separated by the pandemic safety requirements. Very soon after I joined Rotary, he asked me to help him with Main street clean up and I got to know him well when we did it together. He was a fine man and a great friend.
John would frequently bicycle over to my house to talk about HOA matters sometimes he had criticisms but far more often positive and good suggestions I valued all of them. Thoughts and prayers with you Sue
Donna and I extend our deepest condolences to you, Sue, and your family. We have lost a great, honorable man. He had a great sense of humor which endeared him to all of us. May God Bless all of you.
Sorry to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of being his pig holder, cattle shoot operator, and any thing else he needed on weekends and when school was out. He was a good man and a fine example. Callie Dealy
Dearest Montgomery Family,
John is now in the hands of our Great God. He could not be in any better care than that. Freddie and I will always have fond memories of our adventures together. Whether it was an MU football or basketball game, a Halloween Party, or trip to Colorado or Australia. We always have had the best times. We have enjoyed John and Sue as best friends.
John, you will be missed, but NEVER FORGOTTEN
Much Love from the Fike Family
We will miss John. He was instrumental in the creation of Saint Mary’s Hospital of Blue Springs and a super veterinarian.
Sue and family,
We Hess girls are so sorry for your loss. My parents, Bob and Virginia Hess, always thought so much of you and John. He was also my vet for a short time before he retired, and I appreciated his kindness. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue and your family, It is with deep sorrow that I have found John’s obituary. Another classmate gone, and strangely, I was thinking about the two of you just last week, with fond memories of the few times we spent together at a campsite with Charlotte, and perhaps Jerry Spalding as well. Such good times and laughs we had. I also remembering going to Columbia to sing at your wedding, such a big church?? My deepest sympathy to all of you, I know you will miss him terribly. I lost my husband ( Harold) in 2017, and am still trying to adjust after being married for 64 years. Sue take care of yourself, and hope you are in good health. God bless all of you with fond memories. Cherish them always. Dorothy
Dear Sue,
So sorry to hear about John’s death. At our last reunion a few years ago he said he was doing a lot of running and he was going to have his knees operated on. John was a good friend of mine and loved by everybody. He will be sadly missed.