MOGMJMontgomery

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J. C. MONTGOMERY, JR. 1918-2017

JMontgomery.jpg

Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive

Grand Master, 1978-1979

BIOGRAPHY

From Missouri Lodge of Research:

John Carroll Montgomery Jr., the son of Reverend J.C. and Ella Dickey Montgomery was born on October 13, 1918, at Herculaneum, Missouri. The elder Montgomery a Methodist Minister was active in Masonic work, having been Worshipful Master, DDGM and Grand Chaplin of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

"Jack" graduated from Roosevelt High School in St Louis and received two undergraduate degrees from Southeast Missouri College at Cape Girardeau. He taught school briefly at Sedgewickville and East Prairie and did graduate work at University of Michigan and George Peabody College. After his World War II Army Service, he received his seminary education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. A further educational experience was to be a part of the American Summer Institute at St. Andrew's University. In 1979, Central Methodist awarded him a Doctor of Divinity Degree.

As a young teacher Jack received his first two Blue Lodge degrees at East Prairie Lodge No 384 in late 1940. His Master Mason degree was conferred by dispensation in Charleston Lodge No 407, where his father was Master.

Jack was drafted o June 30, 1941 and served for four and a half years in the Army of the United States. While in the service the Army assigned him to a year's schooling at Washington University to learn Italian and for a German refresher. Upon completion of that schooling he became acting First Sergeant of German and Italian Prisoners War companies

In 1946 he entered ministry of the Methodist Church serving pastorates in Wyatt-Anniston, Deering-Bragg City, Graig Memorial (Nashville), Montgomery City, Portageville, Sikeston, and Union Church in St Louis. He was District Superintendent of the Cape Girardeau-Farmington and Columbia-Mexico Districts before retiring in 1984.

Because of his frequent ministerial assignments, Jack often took his Blue Lodge membership with him. Thus, he belonged in succession to Montgomery Lodge No 246 in Portageville, Sikston Lodge No 310, Tuscan Lodge No 360 and Ionic Lodge No 154 where he served as Master. He belonged to the York and Scottish Rite, the Allied Masonic Degrees, the Red Cross of Constantine, National Sojourners and Hero's of 76.

His first appointment to the Grand Lodge came in 1959 when Grand Master Grauel appointed him Grand Chaplin. He was appointed Senior Grand Marshall by Grand Master Chapman and elected Grand Master in 1978.

Brother Montgomery was a long time member of the Missouri Lodge of Research and served as Master of the Lodge. The Lodge of Research also named him a "Fellow".

After serving as Grand Master, Brother Montgomery served as editor of the Missouri Freemason and in 1991 became the editor of the Royal Arch Mason.

Rev. Dr. J.C. Montgomery was called home on Sunday January 29, 2017. Masonic services were provided on Friday February 10, 2017 at the Shraeder Funeral Home with Grand Master Richard Smith providing the Service. Brother Montgomery was buiried in the East Prairie Mo Cemetary.


Missouri Grand Masters