George Montgomery, 86, passed away Monday morning, March 24, 2008, at his home on Wilson Avenue in Morehead. George was born Christmas Day 1921 to Emma Kroetsch Montgomery and George Ernest Montgomery in Saskatchewan where they were homesteading. George was their youngest, having three older sisters: Nancy, Eleanor, and Leona. When George was five, the family returned to northeastern North Dakota, where his ancestors had been pioneers. As his Grandfather Kroetsch had before him, George decided to become a teacher. He enrolled at Valley City State College and began teaching not long afterwards. In 1942, George interrupted his teaching career to join the Army and later the Air Force. He was stationed on the Pacic island of Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands towards the end of World War II. Upon discharge from the military, George returned to teaching and earned his bachelor's degree from Valley City State College in 1949. He then went to the University of Colorado in Boulder for his master's degree, graduating in 1950. That spring, he married another student in the degree program, Helen Durako of Riverton, Illinois. George and Helen were the only ones in their respective families to earn advanced degrees. While George was teaching high school in Nebraska, their daughter was born in Scottsbluff. The family moved to Pembina, North Dakota, where George was a high school principal for a year before accepting a position at Dickinson State College in southwestern North Dakota. From 1953 until 1969, George taught in the business education department, serving as department head for several years. After earning his Ed.D. from the University of North Dakota in 1969, George accepted a position as department head at Morehead State University. The family lived in the Hidden Valley neighborhood until George retired in 1983. George and Helen moved to a small farm on Bullfork Road, where George raised cattle and Christmas trees until the late 1990s, when they moved into the heart of Morehead to be closer to their volunteer work at the hospital and church. After Helen passed away in 1999, George donated a beautiful gazebo surrounded by red roses to St. Claire Hospice in memory of Helen. He continued his daily volunteer work as long as he was able. Over the years, he served 15,000 volunteer hours at St. Claire. When his cardiovascular health made it impossible for him to continue working, he enjoyed the loving care of his young friends around the clock at home. George is survived by his daughter Jolene and the loving community of friends he has in Morehead. His parents and sisters went before him in death. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2008, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals. Visitation will conclude with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. George's funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008, at Jesus our Savior Catholic Church with Pastor Paul Prabell officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens where George will rejoin his beloved wife Helen. Pallbearers: Daniel Totich, Steve Gallenstein, DJ Caudill, Eric Caudill, Tony Caudill, Tyler Spence. Honorary Pallbearers: the parish and hospital community, George's Wednesday night Bible study group, and friends from across the miles and years of his life. In lieu of sending flowers, George asked that his friends consider donations to the charities of their choice or his special charity: St. Claire Regional Medical Center Foundation, 222 Medical Circle, Morehead, KY 40351. George was a great gardener for many decades of his life. For those who wish to remember him with a special tribute, his family asks that you plant a tree or flower with a prayer and a happy memory of George. Visitation: Friday, March 28, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral: Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 11 a.m. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens