Graduation Day
Written Jan 26, 2013 1:31pm by Jennifer Hamm
It’s another sunny, crisp winter day full of promise. Late this morning, Jack passed peacefully into his promised heavenly home. He’s probably already found a microphone and is announcing the daily activities–shuffleboard at 2pm on Cloud 9, Flying Lessons at ….bringing smiles and laughter to everyone.
The Witness to the Resurrection service will be held at the Brownstown Presbyterian Church on Thursday, January 31, at 2pm. A reception will immediately follow at WR Ewing.
We are so blessed with your wonderful gifts of prayer, love, support, nourishment, and spiritual uplifting. And above all, we are remembering that “the main thing is to remain calm.” Thank you Dad/Papa Jack/Jack.
Love Mary Ann, Renee, Ryan, Becky and Jenny
Jack Montgomery will be missed by so very many people. Working with Jack until he was diagnosed with colon cancer in December (just one short month before his death), there was never a time that I spoke with him that I didn’t think back to 20 plus years ago — even if only for a second.
Another bad life decision on my part and I found myself overwhelmingly in debt. I did have a job, and I owned a school bus. Now school buses in Indiana have a lifespan of 16 years. Having secured my school contract with a bus purchased used, the old thing already had a ton of miles and only 5 years of life left. I went to Jack, who at the time was the manager at the bank in the Ville. Resale value on a school bus about ready for the graveyard is a big fat blank. Still, Jack loaned me at least TWICE what the book price was for it. I took the loan and paid on my debts, but it still wasn’t enough to dig me out of the hole I’d gotten myself in.
I struggled and paid the bank loan off in the shortest time possible. And then, Jack loaned me money on the old bus again — more than twice what it was worth. Then… rinse and repeat.
Now I know that banks are in business to make loans, and you need not feel indebted to the loan officer for making the loan. But knowing my situation was dire, Jack took a risk on me. Three times! If I had not of paid the money back, the excuse lenders often use (I know I used it when I was a lender)… “the loan was good when I made it,” wouldn’t have been believable. Had he not taken that risk on me — I would’ve had to file bankruptcy rather than work three jobs to pay back those loans.
The kindness he extended to me will never be forgotten — and is, and always has been, appreciated. RIP Jack.
