Don Montgomery

A Celebration of Life for Don Montgomery, 86, of Nocona, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, at Shady Grove Community Church in Nocona, Texas. Pastor Jimmy Dale Tompkins will officiate.

Honorary pallbearers will include Bear Weller, Charlie Brown, Corky Kennedy, Ricky Russell, Kenny Nelson, Rusty Fenoglio, Ashley Langley, TM Osborne, and D.R. Taylor.

Donald Louis Montgomery was born August 20, 1937, to John W. Montgomery and Irene Virginia Montgomery in Littlefield, Texas, and passed away at his Nocona Hills home April 15, 2024, with his wife, Jackie, by his side.

Don was an avid golfer, whose bucket-list dream was to retire and live on a golf course. In 1997, he retired from Bell Helicopter after 32 years and, in 1999, he and Jackie made his bucket-list dream come true when they moved from North Richland Hills, Texas, to Nocona Hills, Texas, to live on the golf course. Don played golf with his buddies every day there wasn’t bad weather. Summer had a 7 a.m. tee-time, due to the heat; Fall/Spring had a 9 a.m. tee-time; and Winter had a 10 a.m. tee-time. Everything was dependent upon the temperature outside, but don’t you worry … he had all the amenities needed for his golf cart. He had a cover if it was cool or about to rain, a butane heater for cold weather, and a fan for the heat. Don was what you called a die-hard golfer. His favorite thing to say as he was leaving for golf was, “I’m going to work!”

Playing cards was his next favorite retirement activity. He loved to be around his friends and drink a beer or two. His nickname, because it was his favorite word to say (although not exactly appropriate), was “Da*n-it Don!” He also loved to watch bull riding, whether it be in person or on TV, and loved his Texas Rangers.

Don is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jackie, of Nocona, Texas; brother Bill and wife Donna; children Donna Bilbrey, Phil Montgomery, Karen McLeroy and husband Dane, and Mandi Osborne; grandkids Misty, Brian, Megan, Lauren, and Kalei; six great-grandkids; one great-great granddaughter; and two nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George and Richard Montgomery; two nephews; and his beloved dog, Abby.

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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