Obituary for Blake Montgomery
Lt. Col. Blake Edward Montgomery, 76, died March 9, 2022. He was born January 17, 1946 in Torrance, California, the only child to Lloyd Blake and Philecta Montgomery.
Blake, known throughout his younger years as “Eddie,” was known for his sense of humor, affection for a good prank, and general fun-loving demeanor. After graduating from Leavenworth High School in 1964, he attended Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas. He worked at the Ft. Leavenworth Commissary and enlisted into the Army in March of 1967. He fought as a combat infantryman in Vietnam from September 1967 until September 1968, surviving the Tet Offensive, and receiving both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his bravery and service.
He returned stateside in September 1968 and married Mary Louise Schrader on February 15, 1969 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple resided together in Leavenworth, Kansas for 53 years. They had one son, James Blake, and one daughter, Laura Joetta.
Shortly after marrying, Blake resumed his education at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. He later obtained his Masters in Social Work from the University of Kansas. For thirty years, he proudly served as Director of the Community Counseling Center at Ft. Leavenworth. His work and involvement in the National Association of Social Workers took him all over the country, and he enjoyed taking his family along with him to places like Washington D.C., San Antonio, Texas, and Santa Cruz, CA.
He remained an avid KU fan his entire life, and particularly enjoyed cheering on the Jayhawks’ men’s basketball team. He loved to have fun and was a masterful storyteller.
For many years, he took great delight in planning elaborate and unforgettable Halloween parties for his children and their friends. He frequently volunteered to chaperone classroom field trips, kids cheering when they got to ride with “Mr. Montgomery,” knowing he would always be exciting and fun. He encouraged Blake and Laura to participate in sports and loved coaching their activities. In later years, he would brag about his children’s achievements to anyone who would listen.
Blake is survived by his wife Mary Montgomery; his son, James Blake (Kimberley) Montgomery, and grandson Cole Montgomery, of New Albany, Indiana; and his daughter Laura (Jason) Van Buskirk, of Lincoln, California.
Visitation beginning witht he praying of the rosary will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2022, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Wounded Warriors Project.
Blake, known throughout his younger years as “Eddie,” was known for his sense of humor, affection for a good prank, and general fun-loving demeanor. After graduating from Leavenworth High School in 1964, he attended Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas. He worked at the Ft. Leavenworth Commissary and enlisted into the Army in March of 1967. He fought as a combat infantryman in Vietnam from September 1967 until September 1968, surviving the Tet Offensive, and receiving both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his bravery and service.
He returned stateside in September 1968 and married Mary Louise Schrader on February 15, 1969 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple resided together in Leavenworth, Kansas for 53 years. They had one son, James Blake, and one daughter, Laura Joetta.
Shortly after marrying, Blake resumed his education at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. He later obtained his Masters in Social Work from the University of Kansas. For thirty years, he proudly served as Director of the Community Counseling Center at Ft. Leavenworth. His work and involvement in the National Association of Social Workers took him all over the country, and he enjoyed taking his family along with him to places like Washington D.C., San Antonio, Texas, and Santa Cruz, CA.
He remained an avid KU fan his entire life, and particularly enjoyed cheering on the Jayhawks’ men’s basketball team. He loved to have fun and was a masterful storyteller.
For many years, he took great delight in planning elaborate and unforgettable Halloween parties for his children and their friends. He frequently volunteered to chaperone classroom field trips, kids cheering when they got to ride with “Mr. Montgomery,” knowing he would always be exciting and fun. He encouraged Blake and Laura to participate in sports and loved coaching their activities. In later years, he would brag about his children’s achievements to anyone who would listen.
Blake is survived by his wife Mary Montgomery; his son, James Blake (Kimberley) Montgomery, and grandson Cole Montgomery, of New Albany, Indiana; and his daughter Laura (Jason) Van Buskirk, of Lincoln, California.
Visitation beginning witht he praying of the rosary will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2022, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Wounded Warriors Project.