Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

John C. Montgomery

John C. Montgomery was born August 1, 1906, in Gurdon and after being ill for a time, he went to meet the Lord on June 10, 1998, in Eureka, Calif., with a very large and loving family at his bedside.

As a young man, John worked on the farm and in logging in Arkansas. He also worked for the railroad as a brakeman. Later he worked for several construction companies, finally retiring from Granite Construction Company. He was a member of the Laborers Union.

He was a member of Pine Hill Baptist Church, Humboldt Trap and Skeet Club, and the Eel River Trap and Gun Club. An avid outdoors- man, he was known by his friends for being a very good marksman for which he won many awards. His great joy in life was spending time with his large and loving family.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Vera Montgomery of Eureka; his sons, James "Bud" Montgomery and his wife, Bertha of Eureka, and Roy "Monty" Montgomery and his wife, Romy of Woodland, Calif.; his daughters, Wanda Haire and her husband, Ed of Crescent City, Calif., Millie Forthman of Eureka, and Midge Nelson and her husband, Wayne of Phoenix, Ariz., his brother, Jewel Montgomery, and his wife, Marie of Gurdon; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bryant and Mattie Montgomery; three sisters, three brothers; his son-in-law, Morris Forthman, and grandson-in-law, Wes Thompson, both of Eureka.

Funeral services were at Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka on Monday, June 15, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Clyde Belcher officiating. Interment services were at Ocean View Cemetery.

Casket bearers were Rick Buskirk, Donnie Peterson, Sal Piazza, Craig Casey, Wayne Parker and Herb Wall. Honorary bearers were John's grandsons, Dan and Kevin Nelson, Don Mayo, Mike Forthman, and David and Steven Montgomery.

Arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of the Ferns/ Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka.