11/02/2015 10:30PM

11/03/2015 5:00PM

11/05/2015 9:23AM

we will miss you forever

 I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to meet this wonderful person. I remember every time he used to come to his daughter, Lynn's house, he was the nicest guy ever. Kenneth was very loving with me and my brother. He always gave us really good advice. Unfortunately he can't give me those advices any more BUT since he is another star in the sky he is guiding me and sending me those warm hugs that he used to give me with the light of that brighter star.Thank you God for giving us the opportunity to meet this special person......ONE IN A MILLION! We are going to miss you.

New video of Daddy picking the blues.
This was a wonderful day in Daddy's music room. I think it was Thanksgiving. And if it wasn't it sure felt like it - surrounded by the people he loved, Daddy strapped on his favorite guitar, turned on Pandora and starting picking along with the first song that came up. It was "Stupid Blues" by Junior Brown. Every day was Thanksgiving in Daddy's music room. How blessed we were to be treated to these impromptu outpourings of love and music. For the last two years, I always had my iPhone ready to capture the magic. We will cherish these days forever. 

The Blues video is the second one on the channel. The first is the 10 minute Memorial Video.
(Just above the Youtube screen it says 2 videos - click that for Junior Brown. Remember to turn off sound on ForeverMissed site so you can hear Youtube)

Click here to watch Memorial Video.  

 Join us for 10 minutes of love, laughter and music.

Before clicking the link below, please turn down the sound on this site, so it doesn't interfere with the audio on the You Tube video.  Go to very top of  this page and click word "sound" next to speaker icon but remember to turn sound back on, when you return to Forevermissed so you can hear more great, old time country music.
        
                               Click here to watch Memorial Video. 

My husband and I live in NY, we just celebrated out 5th year anniversary. Looking at this picture just inspired me.  This couple married 60 years or so I believe.  I stumbled upon this website and it just gave me so much joy.  Looking at Mr. Montgomery and his family moved me.  What a happy and blessed family!  I am sorry for your lost, but his heart is with you and his music is simple a sweet pleasure to my ears. We bury my aunt this morning.  I needed to be uplifted.  
Sincerely,
T. Ndip
 

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear

And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, 
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight? 

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well. 
Henry Scott Holland      

Presented by Martha Bell at Kenneth's memorial service April 20th, 2012: 

WEEP NOT FOR ME 

Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will,
But not for long.
Upon my souls sweet flight,
I am at peace,
My souls at rest.
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not
The fear now is all gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on,
Remember not my fight for breath,
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
but celebrate my life.     - Anonymous

Kenny Montgomery still had the first guitar he ever owned, hanging on the wall in his music room. He was twelve years old when he got that guitar. He'd already been playing for six years on borrowed guitars. 

Kenneth Paul Montgomery died April 5, 2012. He was 3 weeks shy of his 84th birthday. "Kenny" was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He played music everyday. Even when his shoulder ached and the doctor said he had worn the cartilage to the bone, Kenny would not stop playing lead guitar on his beloved Fender Stratacaster. He said it kept him young. One minute he was juicing the blues on his Stratacaster, the next minute he'd strap on his 12 string and soar with Marty Robbins. 

When he was 80, Kenny discovered the iPod and Pandora. His grandson, Eric Hardin, introduced him to the world of electronic wonders. Kenny would welcome family and friends into his music room With a big smile, he'd proudly proclaim, "Today I'm going to be playing along with some friends of mine." His fingers were almost too big for the iPod controls, but he eventually mastered the new device and with the delight of a child he'd settle into his favorite chair and listen for the next song. He could play everything, from Chet Atkins to Eric Clapton, from Muddy Waters to Les Paul. 

Kenny's musical career started in a tent revival. He was six years old when he picked up a guitar and started playing along with the choir. His father, the Preacher, took this as a sign to spread the gospel throughout the land. They traveled in a Model T to small towns in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. They'd set up in a brush arbor or an old schoolhouse. Kenny would strap a pie tin on his overalls as a collection plate and stroll down the aisles strumming his guitar. But in his mind's eye it wasn't an old schoolhouse, it was the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. And he was playing to a packed house of country music loving fans. 

By the time Kenny was a teenager he had joined a western swing band, the "Triple M Boys". Dude Rawson, age 86, played fiddle and sang. He says the first time he saw Kenneth was in a revival. "He was quite a showman and one fine guitar player. He'd take his left hand and come up over the finger board and play upside down like that." Kenny went on to play with the Oklahoma Playboys. They had their own radio show every Friday night at 5:00 PM. The band's name was a tip of the cowboy hat to everyone's western swing hero, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. According to legendary guitarist Merle Travis, "Western swing is nothing more than a group of talented country boys, unschooled in music, but playing the music they feel, beating a solid two-four rhythm to the harmonies that buzz around their brains. When it escapes in all its musical glory, my friend, you have Western swing." 

Kenny played lead guitar with many old time country music singers and musicians, like Freddy Hart and Leon McAuliff, Bob Will's sensational pedal steel player. He also played with Jack Guthrie, Woody Guthrie's cousin. Jack had a number one hit song, "Oklahoma Hills Where I Was Born." Kenny remembers, 

"I was working at the Hob Nob in Oklahoma City. Jack played there off and on for a year. He sure could hold his own. We were playing on the bandstand. We probably played something the fellow didn't like, or we didn't play his song. I don't know what happened. But here come a big salt shaker sailing across the room and just barely missed Jack and me. I don't know whether it was meant for me or meant for Jack. Jack said, 'Whoever threw that salt shaker would he come up here and let me know?' A guy walked up to the bandstand. Jack hit him one time and knocked him to the floor. The guy came to in a little bit and went back to his seat and sat down. No more commotion after that. I didn't know at the time that Jack was already sick. He passed away that next year of Tuberculosis. He went out singing and swinging." Kenny was 19. Jack Guthrie was 33. 

Over the decades Kenny entertained countless fans throughout Oklahoma and later, California, where he moved in 1956. He turned down several opportunities to go on the road with big name country entertainers like Hank Thompson and Wynn Stuart. Kenny loved country music, but there was one thing he loved even more - his family. One time while playing in Vegas with Jack Reeves, Glen Cambell's cousin, Kenny returned home after only one week, and proclaimed he was never going on the road again. He said the fast life was not for him. Kenny preferred to play in small clubs near his home in Upland. During the week he worked as an electrician in the aerospace industry. On the weekends he played the local honky tonks and clubs with his long time singer and dear friend, Jerry Haney. 

This year Kenny and his beautiful bride, Marysue, were celebrating 60 years together. Kenny loved to tell the story of how they met. "I thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world when I saw her singing in a choir. I asked a friend who she was and where she went to church. I changed my church and started going to her church. So the next Sunday, after church was over there were about six guys trying to talk to her and I thought, here's my chance. Of course I was playing in the band, the church band, which helped some. Being a musician that helped me out. It wasn't my good looks because I never had that. So the next Sunday, I walked up to her and said, 'How would you like to go out and get some ice cream.' And she said, 'Okay.' And six guys standing around said, 'What happened here? Who is this guy?' About six months later we got married." 

Kenny always tears up and flashes his signature smile when he gets to the final part of the story. "We've had a very enjoyable life together. Seems like I've been married all my life. All my success I give to her." 

Kenny counted himself as one of the lucky ones. His grandson, Christopher, a fellow guitar picker and songwriter, asked him recently, "If you had it to do all over again, how would you do it?" Kenny immediately answered with a smile, "Oh, I'd do it the same. I wouldn't change a thing if I had it to do all over again. I'd do it the same." 

Thank you to all the music playing and loving friends in Guthrie, Santa Barbara and Upland who celebrated every Kenny Montgomery command performance. From living rooms to barrooms, we watched in awe and jubilation as his fingers danced across the frets. He is missed and loved, but his music lives on. Thank you to Martha Bell for spiritual guidance and kind ministrations. Thank you to Jerry Haney for 40 years of great music. 

Kenneth is preceded in death by his beloved parents, John and Ollie Montgomery of Lindsay OK; sister, Cleo Yandell of Lindsay, OK; brother, James Montgomery of Pauls Valley, OK; daughter, Connie Benton of Guthrie OK.
 
He is survived by his cherished wife of 60 years, Marysue Montgomery of Upland, CA; son, Craig Montgomery of Upland, CA; daughters, Lynn Montgomery of Santa Barbara, CA; Karen Montgomery Sorosky of Upland, CA; Denise Montgomery of Santa Barbara, CA. Sons In laws, Robert Sorosky M.D. Upland, CA; Richard Kriegler Santa Barbara, CA; Don Benton Guthrie, OK. Grandchildren, Lance (Felicia) Benton; Ryan (Amy) Benton; Eric Hardin; Christopher Montgomery; Austin Kriegler; Hannah Kriegler. Great Grandchildren, Jackson Benton; Lauren Benton; Chrissy Benton. Step Grandchildren, Drs. Brad & Susan Sorosky; Melissa Montgomery. 

And all his many, many, many beloved family and friends do miss him so.

Published in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin from April 18 to April 22, 2012 ^

Presented by Martha Bell at Kenneth's Memorial Service, April 20, 2012

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He told of the dates on his tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came his date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears.
But said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved him
Know what that small line is worth.
It matters not how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know what time is left,
That can still be rearranged
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way that people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
We could treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Will you be proud of the things they said
About how you spent your dash?     
                                             -Anonymous           

Granddad's cornbread on a warm summer night
It came sweet and natural when you played
Your music flowed to the beat like a kite
We bought guitar picks in the color jade  

Your special color was blue like your eyes
You blessed my life with your inspiration
Your cowboy boots will someday be my size.
You took a walk and smiled when you were done.   

Every minute, I would say, "I love you."
Every second, you would say, "You love me."
Forever, you would hold me to you, too.
Family, heart, music, will always be  
Where I sing and where I dance and feel new
Where I go when I need to be with you.

 I did not get to spend a lot of time with Ken since i live in Oklahoma and he in California.  I met him because he lived across the street from my son Steve.  We found we had a commom interest in music and had several times together playing the piano and guitar and singing together.  I will surely miss him the next time I come to Califoria.  He had become a good friend and it is not fun telling good friends goodby.  Mrs. Montgomery, my sympathy is with you, there will be great adjustments but his memory will help you make them.


Ken Leonard

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma       

When Kenny first met my twin sisters he told me he was looking for a wife. Mary Sue was the quiet one so he chose her. They met in a small church around the corner from our family home. They (the twins) made a splash when they joined that church according to Kenny.

When I first met Kenny, he gave me a big hug and whispered in my ear, "You're the best looking one here." I knew he said this to all the women, so I just smiled at him and he knew I was aware of his greeting to us all. Kenny will be missed.  Shirley G.

Kenneth, you made a great impact on my life.  It was truly an honor to know you and even more to have you as my Son's Grand Dad.  Thank you for being the music inspiration (and much, much more) to my son, your Grandson....

This is from Gene Bowen:

I loved your Dad and have the fondest memories of playing music with him . What a great soul he was in his boots and cool shirts and a hell of a good lead guitar player. He took such pride in his ability to play authentic country licks the way they are supposed to sound. I was always dosed with elation after our musical soirees together. My love and condolences to you and all of your family now that your Dad is playing in the Angel Band.

Kenneth, a PERFECT son as one could be to his father, John......


Kenneth, a GREAT father and inspiring guide to his son, Craig.....


Kenneth, an indefatigable LOVING grand-dad to his grand-son, Christopher.....


Remembering they are not dead,
Who leave us this great heritage of remembering joy.

They still live in our hearts,
In the happiness we knew, in the dreams we shared.

They still breathe,
In the lingering fragrance,windblown, from their favourite flowers.

They still smile in the moonlight’s silver,
And laugh in the sunlight’s sparking gold.

 They still speak in the echoes of the words we’ve heard them say again and again.

They still move,
In the rhythm of waving grasses, in the dance of the tossing branches.

They are not dead;
Their memory is warm in our hearts, comfort in our sorrow.

They are not apart from us, but part of us,
 For love is eternal,

And those we love shall be with us throughout all eternity.






 
 

Grand Dad, this morning I was thinking of you as I went to our favorite Oklahoma  hang out, Braum’s.  Yes, I ordered our favorite Okie breakfast, biscuit and gravy.   I felt a little guilty ordering that high carb breakfast but it was sure good with a cup of coffee.   As I sat there I began to remember all the ice cream cones we enjoyed together.  I’m sure Mary Sue knew what we were up to but we kept our sins to ourselves.  We would just have to walk an extra mile to make up for our extra calories.  I laughed about the time you finished your cone and went back up and got in line to order another.  When we asked what you were doing you told us “that the lady told me to come again and that is just what you had in mind. “  That was the funniest thing your grandkids had ever seen.

 I felt like you were there with me this morning and then something happened that made me sure you were.  A woman came up and asked me if I was Vince Gill?  I gave her a smile and told her no but thank you for the compliment.  When she walked away I thought to myself, I sure must be good looking setting here with my dark Grand Dad hair and sun glassed on.  Then the more I thought about it, Vince Gill has really put on some serious weight the last few years.  Did she think I was the fat Vince Gill?  I better lay off the gravy and ice cream for a couple weeks.   I miss you Grand Daddy and love all the good memories we got to share together.   Much Love, Lance