John Lee Montgomery, 86, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2018 after a courageous battle with leukemia at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. John was born December 31, 1931 to William and Stella (McFarland) Montgomery in Galena, Kansas, the youngest of six children. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1950 and received a BBA from MSSU in 1980.

John joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He met his beautiful bride and wife of 63 years, Kunigunde Ruf, while stationed in Germany and they were married on July 9, 1954 in Wiesbaden-Dotzheim.

In 1971, John retired from the USAF in Spokane, WA and moved his family to Carthage, MO. He began his career as a nursing home administrator at St. Luke's Nursing Center there and served as administrator for nursing homes throughout the state before retiring in 1993. John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved to fish and the outdoors. He was also an avid reader and always enjoyed a good debate on the issues of the day.

John is survived by his wife, Kuni; daughters, Patricia Roberts, Susan (Ernie) Riehn, and Greta (Jeff) Turner; sons, John Montgomery and David (Cathey) Montgomery; 11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Teresa Montgomery , brothers Claude, Jack, and Wilbur and sisters Wilma and Thelma.

Visitation will be from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm on Wednesday, June 13, at Klinger-Cope Funeral Home at Rivermonte and funeral services will be held there at 12:30 pm, with Father Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will follow immediately after at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 3555 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, MO 65804.