Walter Montgomery

Dr. Walter Roger Montgomery, 69, of Vincennes, passed away Jan. 4, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital.Roger Montgomery was the tallest guy in the world for many people. To sum him up in a small space would be impossible. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, grandfather, and grandson. His grandchildren called him "Granddaddy Roger", just as he had called his own grandfather, "Granddaddy Rogers".He cared deeply about others. He devoted his life and resources to helping others, especially those who couldn't help themselves. Roger was extremely generous with organizations which feed needy children and save helpless animals. He believed love was not about words, but about action and sacrifice.Dr. Montgomery was a nephrologist by trade, but a doctor in every sense of the word. He treated everyone with respect and dignity, especially those who worked for him. His nursing staff loved him so much, and missed him greatly when he retired. A graduate of Emory University Medical School, he went on to serve in the Air Force, and complete his residency and fellowship. He was responsible for the dialysis unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.Passionate about baseball and the Civil War, he was fortunate enough to have been able to take many trips with his father and brother in his motor home, touring Civil War Battlefields, and baseball parks. His oldest son and a couple of nephews tagged along for a couple of those trips. He passed on his passion for history and music to his sons and grandsons.Roger loved his flower garden (which was actually his entire yard), and animals. His dog, Barney, was his best friend and constant companion. He was a friend to raccoons and elephants. He was proud of his country, and his father, a B-17 pilot in WWII.Born Sept. 24, 1944, in McKenzie, TN, he was the son of Walter Reece and Geraldine (Rogers) Montgomery. His parents preceded him.Surviving is his wife, Sue (Rose) Montgomery; his sons, Todd (Michelle) Montgomery of Raleigh, NC, and Justin Montgomery of Evansville, IN; grandsons, James Reece and William Birch Montgomery, both of Raleigh, NC; and a brother, Ben (Linda)Montgomery, of York, SC.Dr. Montgomery's life will be celebrated in a memorial service on Thursday, at 12:00, at Goodwin Funeral Home. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 - 12:00 on Thursday.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (www.cfmt.org), and have them put it towards the Walter "Walt" Reece Montgomery Scholarship Fund, a fund for young aviators that Roger, his brother, and father started. Otherwise, donations to the First United Methodist Church in Vincennes would be appropriate as well.Online condolences may be sent to the family through goodwinfamilyfh.com.