He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Cynthia Smith Montgomery; son Jeter Wayne Montgomery; and two brothers, James Cranford Montgomery and Joseph Raymond Montgomery.
He is survived by his sons Stephen and wife Sandra, John and wife Heather, and Harlan Craig and wife Kathleen; and daughter-in-law Brenda; his grandchildren Raven, Adam, Stephen, John, Evan, Aidan, Christopher, Laura, and Caroline; and great grandchildren Danielle, Evelyn, Mason, and Madelyn.
Frank was raised through the Depression and never forgot life as it was back then. As a young boy he was involved in Boy Scouts, which played a major influence during his whole life. He truly was trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Frank graduated from High Point High School in 1941 and celebrated his 75th High School reunion in June 2016.
On December 9, 1942, Frank enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. As a Cadet he attended flight and officer training. On March 12, 1944 he was appointed an officer in the Army Air Corps of the United States of America in the grade of Second Lieutenant. He went on to serve his country through World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During WWII he was assigned to the 78th Fighter Squadron, flew the P51 Mustang in the Pacific Theatre and was present during the taking of Iwo Jima.
After WWII, Frank left the Armed Services and returned to High Point. Here he met Cynthia Veronica Smith, fell in love and was married on September 19, 1947. After a few years building homes, Frank was recalled to military service.
In 1963, he received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Omaha having taken advantage of the Bootstrap Program.
During the Vietnam War, Frank flew the C130 Hercules. In 1968, he was awarded The Silver Star for his gallantry in action having evacuated 150 American soldiers and South Vietnamese from Kam Duc, a special operations air field being overrun by the North Vietnamese during the Tet Offensive. After 28 years of service and having moved about 25 times, he retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in August 1970.
Again, after retiring from the Air Force, the family moved back to High Point. Frank was a member of First United Methodist Church, was a Scoutmaster for Troop 55, was involved with Toastmasters and the Lions Club and worked as a Real Estate agent.
He gave many presentations to various organizations and schools about events that had happened during his military career. He not only shared the facts of the events but poured his heart out describing what life was like during these years.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, the Alzheimers Association or a charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 14th at First United Methodist Church of High Point at 10am, Rev. John Fitzgerald officiating. Visitation will take place on Friday, April 13th from 6pm to 8pm at Sechrest Funeral Service of High Point.
Online condolences can be made at www.sechrestfunerals.com. Sechrest Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Franklin Montgomery.
