Beloved father and devoted husband James Allen Montgomery passed away in Oklahoma City on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the age of 75 years.

James was the son of Luther Allen Montgomery and Loy Melissa (Pangle) Montgomery, born on March 26, 1941, in Greasy Creek, Oklahoma. He was brought up and attended schools in the Wetumka area, and graduated Moss High School with the class of 1959. He moved to California, where he lived in the bay area and worked for several years in the shipyards, before returning to Holdenville in 1968.

He married Mary Compton in Holdenville on April 17, 1973, and they made their home in Holdenville, where they've lived in the same house for forty-three years. James worked for many years as a police officer in various towns in Oklahoma, including Moore, Stroud, Wewoka, and Holdenville. In 1974, he was injured in the line of duty.

James enjoyed fishing, watching Wheel of Fortune, Let's Make a Deal, and sports, including OU football and Thunder basketball. He also was an avid gardener and enjoyed spending time with family, and loving on the family dog, JJ. He built and managed the Montgomery Softball Field in Holdenville, and coached softball for both men and women. He loved sitting at the coffee shop and visiting with friends. He was a member of the Holdenville First Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Luther & Loy Montgomery; two brothers, Edward Montgomery and Ernest Montgomery, and three sisters: Allie Lucky, Edna Myers, and Betty Harris

He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Mary, of the home; his five amazing daughters: Anna and Wayne Herring of Lubbock TX, Karri and Jeffrey McCoy of Atwood, Christie and Travis Claborn of Norman; Jeanette and Nicholas Cobb of Carson WA, and Jamie Evans of Holdenville; his twelve wonderful grandchildren: Candace and Tim Williams of Okemah , Mikheal Beckham of Portland OR, Britney Thompson of Norman, Cassie Janes of Holdenville, Eli Myers of Portland OR, Lauran Thompson and Madison Thompson, both of Norman, Harley Epperley, Taylor Janes, and Shelby Evans, all of Holdenville, Odessa Cobb and Scarlett Cobb, both of Carson WA; his eight sweet great grandchildren: Jaxon, Langston, Traiden, Max, Malaki, Niya, Tristen, and Kinzley, and one on the way; his four loving sisters: Jewell Bernard of Pocola OK, Ruth Gibbs of Fort Smith AR ,Thola Owens of Bokoshe OK, and Jean Benzel of Wapato WA; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral services will be Thursday, April 14, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, and James will be laid to rest in the Holdenville Cemetery. Rev. Dane Robinson and Rev. Darrell Brown are the officiating ministers. Pallbearers are Harley Epperley, Taylor Janes, Tom Janes, Travis Claborn, Tim Williams, and Bart Sheffield. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff McCoy, Charlie Moore, Wayne Herring, Joe Rice, Bill Lumpkin, and Tony Morrow.