Alan Patrick (Pat) Montgomery was born in Haver, Montana in 1939. He left this earthly plane just days after his 86th birthday in the wee hours of the morning of Friday, June 13, after many years of seeing his life narrow as he dealt with dementia. His wife Pam was at his side.
Pat served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years as a pilot — his stories of flying the F-102, a single engine fighter, are true legends. From engaging with Russian MIGs over the North Sea to losing altitude and seeing his wake behind him and pulling out of that fall. How he loved to tell those stories! He also flew the much larger 737 for Pan Am and traveled the world. Those stories are also legends. After his flying days were over, he turned to the land as a real estate broker and developer in northern Michigan, then in Crested Butte in the 90s and finally settling in Gunnison in 2002.
Hartman Rocks became his go-to spot to hike most days. The outdoors was part of his life from his growing up years in Dayton, Washington to his final times in his garden.
Through his struggles with dementia, he never lost his sense of humor — even to the very end when he was teasing his doctors and nurses.
As his life dwindled, he continued to drive, taking himself into town to the Post Office right up until two weeks before he passed. His sense of direction and focus stayed with him from his Air Force days. Routine took him to Double Shot most days. Those morning stops became his social life. How he loved to joke and talk with whoever was in the coffee shop. So many folks recognized his iconic hat, and he was always happy to stop and chat.
Pat is survived by his wife, Pam, his siblings Pam Tufts and brother Mike Montgomery (Sandra), children Michelle Montgomery,Andew Montgomery (Daza), Eric Montgomery (Lauri), his step-children Julie Davis (Joe) and Blake Miller (Amanda), grandchildren Auna, Ariel, Tayler (Matt), Theodore, step-grandchildren RJ, Birgitte and Raven, and great-grandchild, Olivia, nieces Margo Young (Neil), Rachael Fuller (Mark) and Shauna Montgomery, nephew Sean Tufts (Kelsey), and lots of great-nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of his life at his home on June 29 in the afternoon. If you wish to remember Pat, donations to the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley would be appropriate.
