Wayne Leroy Montgomery

September 10, 1924 – March 16, 2013

Wayne Leroy Montgomery passed away March 16, at home in Redmond, Oregon, with his wife, Shirley, at his side.

Wayne was born in Central Oregon, Sept. 10, 1924, to Glen and Lorena Montgomery. He went to Redmond High School, was in the Merchant Marines for a short period, and then the Navy in 1943. He was honorably discharged at the end of 1945. Wayne was a gunner on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater. He married LaVera Berridge in 1943, and went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell at the end of the war. Later he transferred to Portland and continued working there until retirement. Wayne and Shirley Backman were married in 1965, and they moved back to the Redmond area in 2005.

Wayne was an avid hunter and enjoyed camping at Todd Lake, Silver Lake and Paulina Lake with family for many years. Wayne and Shirley traveled south for winters with dear friends for a number of years. He thoroughly enjoyed golf with his sons and great golfing buddies. They enjoyed traveling to many of his Navy reunions throughout the United States. He was an avid Oregon State football fan and traveled to many games in Corvallis. Wayne was an extremely talented handyman, who took pride in doing every project he took on, the best he possibly could.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Gloria Myers, and Debbie (Bud) Suchanek; sons, Gary (Lori) Montgomery, Keven (Ann) Backman, and Doug (Nancy) Backman. He was very proud of his eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Wayne’s parents, Glen and Lorena Montgomery, and brother, Burton Montgomery, preceded him in death.

Services were held at the Redmond Memorial Chapel, Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 12:00 noon. Burial with military honors followed at Pilot Butte Cemetery in Bend, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Wayne’s name to the Oregon Veterans Home, 700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058, or a charity of one’s choice. Please sign the online guest registry for the family at www.redmondmemorial.com