Lynn Thomas Montgomery

Lynn Thomas Montgomery of Wendell, Idaho (West Point) passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 96 years. Lynn was born on January 9, 1928, to Robert Arthur and Veta Rae (Thomas) Montgomery in Ogden, Utah. He was the second of six children: Robert Lamar, Lynn Thomas, Max Rae, Monty Bert, Karen, Devera. The family moved from Ogden, Utah, to Ely, Nevada, and lived there until Lynn was two years old. The family then moved to Buhl, Idaho in 1930, first living in a big white tent on the banks of the Low Line Canal before moving for a short time into a house in Buhl.

In 1931 the family moved to the North side of the Snake River Canyon above the rim to the White Cloud Ranch before moving in 1939 to the bend of the river, above Hagerman Valley (West Point - “the farm” to all the family). From that farm Lynn walked over the rim to a tiny one-room schoolhouse in the canyon for his earliest education years. He attended school for his 4th and 5th grade years in Ogden, Utah while living with his grandparents. Grades 6th through 8th found him back at the Clear Lakes school house where he was the only student in his class each year. He attended Buhl High School and graduated May 9, 1946. 

It was during his junior year of high school that he met the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Bingham. Remembering the day, he wrote “January 2, 1945, was the first day of school after Christmas Break. My best friend Ivan Hubert Probasco and I had driven to downtown Buhl on our lunch hour (brown bag lunch in those days). We were parked on Main Street in front of JC Penney’s. We saw two girls walking toward us, back to school. It had just started a soft Spring-like rain. Ivan rolled the window down and asked if they wanted a ride to school. They did. We let them in the back seat out of the rain. We knew one of the girls and she introduced Dorothy Bingham to us and us to her. Driving back to the school, Ivan stopped at the closest door, and we watched the girls run up the sidewalk in the rain. Ivan turned to me and said, ‘that is the girl for you!’ I already knew it. It was love at first sight. I had never dated, never kissed a girl, so I did not know what to do about Dorothy. I just watched her at school and at church.” 

They eventually started dating and on November 30, 1948, they were married and sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The little family grew with the addition of six children: Dorothy Lynne’, Greg Thomas, Pamela, Robert Scott, Bart Nathaniel, and James Brett. Their earthly romance continued until Dorothy’s death in October 2010. The remaining years of his life were lived in anticipation of being reunited with his eternal sweetheart…and now they are happily together again, forever.

During his life Lynn co-owned a Sinclair Service Station in Twin Falls, served a four-year apprenticeship at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, graduated as a Journeyman Aircraft Service Mechanic, and co-owned an airplane for a short time. He also served in the Utah National Guard, 6th Army, 222nd Field Artillery Battalion for eight years. In 1957, he worked at Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle before returning to Buhl to work first at Green Giant and then transferring to the Container Division of Green Giant Company (later American Can Company) where he worked for 25 years as a shift foreman until his retirement in 1985. After this retirement Lynn worked as “key man” for Deseret Mutual Custodial Service for seven years.

Following his final retirement, Lynn and Dorothy found a new hobby to share together as they learned to play the organ and took lessons for 15 years. They enjoyed the friendship of other members of the Lowery Organ Lesson group.

Lynn was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many callings, including Bishop of the Buhl 1st Ward, a counselor in other bishoprics, Filer LDS Stake Clerk for 12 years, High Priest Group Leader, Home Teacher, and Elder’s Quorum President.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; and his brother, Bob, who died in World War II at Okinawa. 

He is survived by his siblings, Max (Parla, deceased), Bert (Jennie), Karen Vecera (John, deceased) and Devera Alvey (Ron); his children, Lynne’ Shurtz (Roger) of Enoch, Utah; Greg Montgomery (Julie) of Price, Utah; Pam Athey (William) of Casper, Wyoming; Scott Montgomery (Susan) of Payson, Utah; Bart Montgomery (Jackye) of Farmington, New Mexico, and Brett Montgomery (Tami) of Saratoga Springs, Utah. Lynn and Dorothy have 32 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren who they have loved dearly.

A special thanks to the good people at River Rock Assisted Living in Buhl where Lynn lived the last four months of his life. The family also extends a special thanks to Heritage Hospice staff who gave him comfort and support during his last weeks of life. 

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thousand Springs Ward, 501 Main Street, Buhl. Burial will conclude at the West End Cemetery, 1574 E Elm Street, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Lynn’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.