June 24, 1935 - October 29, 2015
Anthony "Ing" Montgomery Obituary
(Age 80)
Anthony ?Ing? Montgomery, 80 years old, was born June 24, 1935 in Klamath Falls, OR. He died in Spokane, WA at Sacred Heart Providence Hospital on October 29, 2015. He graduated from Klamath Falls High School in 1953 and attended college in Oregon. Although never losing his love of Oregon, where he grew up, Ing was a longtime resident of Spokane. He worked for the city, first in the Street Department, but was most proud of his later work in the Building Department, retiring in 1996, as an Inspector Supervisor.
Ing was a man who believed in right and wrong, but also in justice, fairness, kindness, and compassion. If a person was trying to do the right thing, whether in business or in personal dealings, Ing would always strive to help them. He did not judge people on their wealth or their occupations, but on their actions. He was widely known for going out of his way to help acquaintances and friends, but also strangers met on the street or in his daily life. He was thoughtful in little things that others might overlook, such as saving the rubber bands from newspapers to return to the paper carriers who used to pay for them themselves.
Aside from his family and many dear friends, Ing loved music of all kinds, especially bluegrass, banjo, and brass; and motorcycles, joining several northwest clubs who rode the byways and less traveled roads throughout the west, where he could indulge his love of small towns and forgotten histories.
Ing was proud of his time in Korea, where he served as an MP, and where he tutored young people in the English language. In years to come he was known for telling wonderful stories about the people he met there - in characteristic Ing fashion, he always remembered their names, where they were from, and all sorts of other details that astounded his listeners. It was the same from his years as an insurance investigator - twenty, thirty, or forty years after the fact, Ing could remember particulars: case numbers, addresses, outcomes and -- most importantly -- always the people he encountered.
He had a magic about him when dealing with people. He charmed everyone from restaurant servers, clients, teachers, and his even children?s friends, to the nurses and doctors with whom he had so much contact in the last twenty years.
In 1995, Ing was paralyzed in an catastrophic accident, putting him in a wheelchair and forcing an early retirement, but in no way dampening his spirit. People who met him were constantly amazed that a man who had lost the use of, and feeling in, everything from his chest down could maintain such a wonderful attitude, making every effort (sometimes to his own detriment) to make people around him happy and comfortable. He would tell jokes, remember their children?s names, and just generally put people at ease, no matter the situation. During this time put his formidable people skills to use, still serving his community.
Ing very much loved his family. His first marriage to Marilyn Jean Altman produced two children. Ing is survived by their daughter Joanna, and her husband, Richard Price and their two children; and their son, Jon who married Belinda (Briggs) and their three children. He is also survived by his wife, Joyann, and her daughter Nicole (Ward) Montgomery and his first wife, Marilyn Montgomery. Ing became an incredible father again, this time to Nicole. She always considered him her father and loved him dearly.
He also leaves behind one brother, Steve Montgomery and one sister-in-law Emily Montgomery and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Ing will live on in our hearts -- and the hearts of all those he touched -- forever. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Spokane Humane Society, one of the many charities and causes in which Ing believed. Service will be at Heritage Funeral Home at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 14, 2015.
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