October 26, 1946 - December 26, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James "Tom" Thomas Montgomery, Jr. on December 26,2024 at the age of 78.
Tom is survived by his wife Rita and their children Jeff Montgomery (Lisa), Allison Bobbitt (Jeff), Cicily Staerkel (Ryan) and Brandon Pecha (Sarah), and fourteen grandchildren: Katherine, Julian, Sheridan and Evelyne Montgomery; James Martin, Sydney, Elizabeth, and Zelda Bobbitt; Dylan, Will, and Alexandra Staerkel; Addison, Lilly, and Tess Pecha. He was preceded in death by his parents James & Dorothy Montgomery.
Tom was born 10/26/46 in Carbondale, IL where his father James Thomas Montgomery, Sr was a mail carrier and his mother Dorothy Reese Montgomery was a school teacher. A multi- sport high school letterman, he joined the Illinois Army National Guard while still in High School in the same unit where his father was Sergeant Major. Tom finished his service as a Sergeant and was on three State Champion rifle teams with one Individual State Championship. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1968 with a BS in business. He was elected to the SIU College of Business Hall of Fame in 1989 and served on the SIU School of Accountancy Advisory Board for over 20 years.
Tom spent 14 years as a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Young and Company in St. Louis, Dallas & Jakarta Indonesia where he was Director of Accounting and Auditing for the Southeast Asia region. In 1982 he returned to Dallas as the Vice President and Controller for Valhi Incorporated. He also served as Vice President (Finance) and CFO of Titanium Metals Corp that he took public in 1996 as the world's largest titanium company. He took early retirement in 2000.
Tom shot his first game animal, a cottontail rabbit with a bb gun, at age four and continued hunting quail and dove with his Dad. When he moved to Dallas in 1974 he advanced from rabbits to white tailed deer, and started competing in shooting sports as a 30 year member of the Dallas Gun Club. Tom discovered his love for Big Game Hunting after he and his son Jeff went to Africa in 1992 on their first safari. His passion took him to 6 continents, 36 countries, 22 African safaris, and 6 Shikars in Asia where he took 135 big game species of which 116 are record class. Tom was a member of Shikar Safari Club, and a lifetime member of Safari Club International and The Dallas Safari Club where he served as Chairman of The Outstanding Hunter Achievement Award selection committee. He earned the prestigious honor himself in 2010.
Tom was an avid reader, traveler, shooter, and student of history. Throughout his adventures in 80 countries and 49 states, there was not a museum that was skipped or history not read. He was a lifelong fan of baseball and football.
The Memorial services will be January 4, 2025, 2:00pm at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home, Enid, Oklahoma. In Lieu of flowers donations will be accepted to Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation through Anderson-Burris.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
