Dan Hodges Montgomery

Dan Hodges Montgomery devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, was born on the 18th of April 1938 in Palestine, Texas and died peacefully surrounded by his family on the 13th of December 2025, at the age of 87.

Dan grew up in Palestine, Texas, and after completing the seventh grade, his family moved to Mexia, Texas, where he graduated from Mexia High School in 1956. Dan first attended Tarleton State College before enrolling at Texas A&M University, where he earned a BBA in Economics and Personnel Management in 1960.

A man of determination and unwavering passion, Dan set his sights on building a career in the oil and gas industry. He began that journey in Midland, Texas, in 1961, where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (“Betty”) Black, and they were married in 1964. Over the next nine years, Dan worked as a Landman and they moved to Casper, Wyoming; Lakeland, Florida; and Lafayette, Louisiana, before settling permanently in Houston in 1967.

His career took a defining turn in 1973 when he was asked to join Houston Oil & Minerals to help form a new subsidiary, Seagull Pipeline Company. After years of extraordinary success, Seagull was spun off to shareholders in connection with the 1981 Tenneco–HOM merger and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with Dan serving as President and CEO. Dan left Seagull Energy Corporation in 1984 to pursue private investments. That same year, he co-founded Commet Resources with two partners and served as President.

One of Dan’s proudest professional accomplishments was the TOMCAT offshore pipeline system, completed in 1988, which still operates today. Throughout his business career, Dan deeply valued the colleagues and professionals with whom he worked. He credited their brilliance, integrity, and hard work for every success and remained grateful for each of them and their families throughout his life.

More than any success in business, Dan’s greatest accomplishment and legacy was being a loving family man and devoted mentor to many. He was an incredible role model and a dedicated father to his three children. He believed that being present and consistent in one’s actions spoke louder than words, and his unwavering support of family and friends reflected that belief. Dan and Betty’s sixty-one years of marriage, along with their shared faith and involvement in the community, served as a powerful example to their children.

Dan found great joy in the years spent at the family’s beach house in Galveston, where he loved fishing, playing golf, and hosting children, grandchildren, and dear friends for more than 30 years. He was a longtime member of River Oaks Country Club, Galveston Country Club, River Oaks Breakfast Club, the Downtown Ramada Club, and the Houston Petroleum Club, where he developed countless relationships, stories, and experiences that he cherished.

Through all these experiences, Dan enriched the lives of everyone around him. He was wildly irreverent, incredibly charming, witty, and fun, yet always a gentleman, demonstrating kindness, generosity, and love to his family, friends, and peers. His bright personality entered the room before he did. He was known for his legendary one-liners and rare gift for spot-on delivery and storytelling. Most of all, he was fiercely loyal, and that loyalty made him deeply loved by so many. Through his dedication to family and others, he lived a rich and fulfilling life.

Dan believed deeply in service and community. Among his many contributions, he served on the Boards of Directors for the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, The Alley Theatre, the United Way Vanguard Group, the Texas Children’s Cancer Clinic, and the Episcopal Foundation of Texas. He was a two-term member of the Vestry at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and contributed his time to both the 2001–2004 Sanctuary and Parish Hall Construction Committee and the St. Martin’s Building Construction Committee in 2010.

Dan was honored as a Mexia Blackcat High School Distinguished Alumni in 2006, an achievement he treasured deeply. Earlier in life, he was a proud five-star All-American at Mexia Junior High as well and was appointed Scoutmaster of Explorer Boy Scout Troop 38 while living in Casper, Wyoming, in 1965.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Betty; his children Elizabeth Montgomery Dukes and her children and granddaughter, Kate Dukes Temple and her husband Will, Ellee Dukes, and great-granddaughter Lucy Temple; Dan Montgomery Jr., his wife Kara, and their children Ford and Gus; and Andrew Montgomery, his wife Molly, and their children Mae, Drew, and Collins. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Montgomery Osborn, and her husband Jim, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Robert Montgomery, and brother, Bob Montgomery.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Dan from four o'clock in the afternoon until six o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 17th of December in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 18th of December at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the church in Bagby Parish Hall.

For those unable to attend the service in person, virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon in the service section below.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church by selecting their respective link under "Donations" below.