Leroy Montgomery

Leroy Montgomery was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. His incredible integrity was woven throughout a lifetime of hard work and dedication given to any task or challenge set before him. Leroy’s growing family and his love of the outdoors were his greatest treasures. His warm personality, his genuineness, and his compassion for others will be his greatest legacy. Leroy leaves behind a rich collection of memories for his special friends and family to cherish forever.

Reflecting on the 1920s, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge. The media was focused on jazz music and celebrities especially sports heroes and movie figures. By 1929, the industry was booming until the market crashed that fateful October. Porter and Nora (Mays) Montgomery welcomed home with own star, Leroy, on July 22nd in Green County, Kentucky. Born the youngest of five children, Leroy was the true essence of being the proverbial baby of the family.

Sadly, he lost his father at the tender age of five years old and was raised primarily by his mother and his older brother, Edwin, who took over as the father figure. Leroy’s feistiness was revealed early on in his childhood. When he didn’t want to go to school, he’d climb the tree in the front yard ensuring he wouldn’t be forced to attend. By the time he hit puberty and his teenage years, he gained momentum on his desire for independence and left school. As a young man he was drafted for the United States Army during the Korean War. During his years of service, he learned to master his way around the kitchen peeling countless potatoes and serving up enough warm meals to literally feed an army! After he was discharged, he spent time cruising around the country on his motorcycle.

While in California , he met Mollie Emerson who would steal his heart forever! Though Leroy had the looks of Elvis Presley and Fonzie, she was not into Leroy as much as he was into her and at first decided to move back home to Texas. During their time apart, he began to swoon her with love letters. The countless unopened letters began to pile up until one day her brother insisted that she open them. Mollie spent days reading through them and the further she read the more it sparked an interest inside of her to give Leroy a chance. By 1967, their love had grown to the point of moving to Michigan together in a pickup truck with a camper. Eventually, they had saved enough money to secure an apartment. The happy couple joined in marriage on August 24, 1973, at the Kalamazoo County Courthouse. Together they shared the upbringing of their beautiful daughter, Denise, who was the apple of their eye!

As a father, Leroy was strict, yet loving, and always worked hard to provide for his family. He wanted nothing more than to share in their every success and spend quality time together. As a family, they vacationed often to Texas and Kentucky to visit relatives each and every summer. Over the years, Leroy held a wide variety of jobs, yet was satisfied when his hard work and efforts landed him his own trucking company, Montgomery Trucking. With many small acts of love and great acts of sacrifice, Leroy always put his family first. Even when times were tight he never hesitated to loan some money to a friend or family member in need. To him, family was everything whether it was by blood or by sweat and tears!

As much as he enjoyed his role as a father, his heart was full when he was blessed with grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and sharing in their special celebrations over the years. In 2014, Leroy was diagnosed with dementia. His sweetheart, Mollie, and his daughter, Denise, took the very best care of him through their loving care. Just like back in his working years, Mollie always made sure he had a hot meal and his clothes were laid out for the next day. Mollie and Denise cared for him right up until his last week when he was admitted to Glen Arbor Hospice. While under hospice care, he remained concerned for his family and was still worried about his “Lover”. Leroy wanted to know that she would be taken care of by making sure there was wood for the stove to heat the house. Known for his generous heart, caring ways, and unconditional love for his family, he will surely be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Leroy Montgomery, age 90, of Paw Paw, Michigan died on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at Glenn Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene Montgomery and Edwin (Ovaleeta) Montgomery and two sisters, Hallie (Jerry) Wolff and Laverne (Wildy) Jackson. He is survived by his wife and “lover” of fifty-two years, Mollie Ann Montgomery; a son, Rory Montgomery of California; and two daughters, Nancy Montgomery of California, and a special daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Darrell Quinn Jr of Decatur. He is also survived by two special grandchildren, Maryna and Tyler Quinn of Decatur, a special nephew and his wife, Guy and Libbye Montgomery of Kentucky as well as special nieces: Patricia (Steve) Dudley of KY and Wilma (John) Langham of KY. Leroy will be missed by many and his special Boston Terrier, Sissy Rose. Leroy has requested that family and friends wear casual attire to his visitation and funeral services. Visit with family and friends on Monday, February 3, 2020, from 5-7 pm at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40 Hwy; Paw Paw (269) 657-3870 where funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 am. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton, and will be followed by a luncheon provided by the members of West Oshtemo Baptist Church. Please visit Leroy’s personal web page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming into the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Glenn Arbor Hospice.