John Craig Montgomery

John Craig Montgomery, of Columbus, Ohio, died on May 18, 2026, at age 80. He was born on April 21, 1946, in Dayton, Ohio, to parents Dr. Henry K. Montgomery and Dorothy M. Montgomery who preceded him in death. It was Easter Sunday in 1946, a sign of faith that would follow John through his entire life, a life dedicated to service to others. A life-long Episcopalian, John served in his churches by singing in choirs, being an acolyte, serving on church vestries, and working on numerous church committees throughout the years. Most recently he worked as a volunteer for many years transporting donated food from St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church to the Dublin, Ohio, Food Pantry every week. St. Paul’s in Greenville, Ohio, and St. Patrick’s in Dublin, Ohio, were his church homes. John was joined on life’s journey by his first wife, the late Mary Ann (Marshall) Montgomery, only to be joined by his heaven-sent second wife, Frances (Johnson Chase) Montgomery, who survives.

A graduate of Oakwood High School in Dayton, Ohio, John attended The Ohio State University earning a degree in Biology/Secondary Education in 1969. He earned an M.Ed. from Wright State University in 1974. During his professional career, John also continued his studies at Miami University and the University of Dayton. He began his career in education with the Dayton City Schools as a biology teacher and administrator. In 1979, he moved the family to Greenville, Ohio, and became the principal of Tri-Village High School, serving in that role until 1991. From there, John led the school district as its superintendent from 1991 through 1997. In that year, he became the superintendent of the Darke County Educational Service Center in Greenville until his retirement in 2003. His professional career is marked by his involvement in a wide variety of positions supporting and representing public education in Darke County, the region and state. They include the HOPE Foundation, the Darke County Mental Health Clinic, and the United Way of Darke County. After moving to Columbus, Ohio, and watching Mary Ann benefit from blood transfusions as she battled cancer, and benefiting himself from blood transfusions following open-heart surgery, John dedicated many years to volunteering for the Central Ohio Chapter of the American Red Cross, transporting blood from blood drives across the state. John’s life was defined by service work until the end.

Marrying after the deaths of Mary Ann and Fran’s first husband, the late Douglas Chase, John and Fran devoted themselves to their blended family. In addition to Fran, John is survived by his two sons, Robert Montgomery (Amanda) of Acworth, Georgia, Christopher Montgomery (Chelly) of Columbus, Ohio, Fran’s three sons, Steven Chase (Erin) of San Antonio, Texas, Colin Chase of Beachwood, Ohio, and Alex Chase (Ann Guy) of Oakland, California, and their combined eleven grandchildren, in chronological order, Ryan Chase, Charles Chase, Amelia Chase, Henry Montgomery, Tyler Chase, Mia Chase, Anna Montgomery, Naomi Chase, Austin Chase, Lincoln Chase and Johnny Montgomery. John is also survived by his two brothers William Montgomery (Emily) of Houston, Texas, and David Montgomery of Dayton, Ohio, two wonderful brothers-in-law from his first marriage, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.

A memorial celebrating John’s life will take place at 11 a.m. (EDT) on June 1, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 7121 Muirfield Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Committal will follow in St. Patrick’s columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Dublin, Ohio, or the American Red Cross. John also encouraged everyone to give blood.