Dr. Theron E. Montgomery Jr.

Dr. Theron E. Montgomery, Jr., age 90, President Emeritus of Jacksonville State University, passed away on Feb. 10th after a short illness. He is predeceased by his wife, Ada Bounds Montgomery. He is survived by one son, Dr. Theron E. “Tem” Montgomery, III, one daughter, Katherine Anne “Kam” Montgomery Richardson, one son-in-law, Thomas Boyd Richardson, one granddaughter, Katherine Montgomery Richardson, and three grandsons, Thomas Boyd Richardson, Jr., Theron Taylor Montgomery and Ethan Avery Montgomery.

A native of Spartanburg, S.C., Dr. Montgomery served in both theatres of World War II, before graduating from Wofford College, Phi Beta Kappa, and completing graduate degrees at Duke University. He came to Jacksonville State Teachers College in 1950 as a Professor of Sociology and married Ada Bounds of Tuscaloosa in 1951. He was named Dean of Jacksonville State College in 1955 and was named Vice President for Academic Affairs at Jacksonville State University in 1971. He assumed the Presidency of JSU in 1981 and retired in 1986.

Among other notable services, Dr. Theron Montgomery was named to the Alabama Commission of Higher Education, was President of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Regional Medical Center Hospital Board, an international educational consultant, and a member of the Anniston Rotary Club.

Graveside services will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 14th at the Jacksonville City Cemetery. A reception will follow at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church from 12– 1:30 pm. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chuck Torreulla, Eric Brasher, Keith Riley, Dr. William Meehan, Mark Jones, Mark Fagan, Thomas Boyd Richardson, Thomas Boyd Richardson, Jr., Theron Taylor Montgomery and Ethan Avery Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Theron E. Montgomery Scholarship Fund at Jacksonville State University or to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville.