Mr. Montes was my much feared Spanish Teacher in 1978 at Roosevelt Jr. High School. Much Feared? He was tough on the boys and so kind to the girls in the class! I was a shy boy that took his class and really wanted to attend the class of his friend Mr. Dias...who was always so nice!

With Mr. Montes, I learned why he was so tough. He wanted me to learn and not just be a 'cut up' in class to try to turn the heads of the girls. 

He was a man who always wore suits and dressed up clothes everyday and made sure that I took him seriously.  He shouted: "Silencia!" He made us introduce ourselves in Spanish and made us use our books. At times, I saw him meet Senior Dias in the outside hallway and I heard them laughing as friends. 

I knew he was tough and at the same time, I knew he cared about us. 

I never forget a teacher in my past and just how they impacted me. 

In the '90's, I brought my wife to the campus of Roosevelt Jr. High to just walk around and then to go into the library and show her some pictures of my past there. 

Low and behold! There was Senior Montes sitting with several youngsters that he was encouraging. I simply asked him where the annual books of pictures were, since I was a former student there. He asked my name and then remembered me! 

He excused himself for a moment from his group and asked me about my life. I introduced him to my lovely wife and then told him that he sacred me as a teacher and then I asked him why he was nicer to the girls than the boys. He smiled and told me that he was sorry. He told me that he only wanted to make sure I was taking his class seriously. 

I will never forget that day that we spoke man to man. I still saw that beautiful strength in his right eye, and the focused pointed look in his left eye. He still cared. He was still helping young ones who are considered minorities...and yet who he never saw as such. Mr. Montes taught all as equals. 

I hold a very deeply sacred place in my heart for Mr. Montes. Praise Be!

My condolences and may he rest in peace. This pic was taken when we bumped into each other at Smart & Final Dec 2020. Mr. Montes was my principal from Montgomery High. 

To all the Montes family-

I didn’t know about Sam’s passing until yesterday.  I am deeply saddened by your loss.  He was a great principal to me at Montgomery High and I respected his leadership.  My wife, who worked with his brother in San Ysidro, and I send our deepest condolences.

Juan Manuel and Cindi Gonzalez

Praying for your family,  God be with you and strengthen your family.  Love ❤️ Gloria Gutierrez  

May the Lord keep you safe and the light of his presence be a source of consolation as you begin to navigate this new existence,  Sending prayers to you and your family for peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow.   Although I didn't know him well, I know he was an admired and loved teacher by my fellow Roosevelt Junior High schoolmates.  God bless you.

To all the family Montes . I am sure he will be greatly missed. My kids were able to meet him and have him as a teacher. They will never forget him. I had known him since we were young and will always remember him fondly. May God give you the strength during this hard time. For know it’s till we see you again in Gods presence. 

Tio Sam and Tia Gloria meeting his nephew Lucas with his brother Armando and sister in law Angela. 

Brotherly love- proud Great Tio Sam with his brother Armando Montes Grandpa to baby Lucas 

Costa Rica  25/1/2023

Nuestro más sentido pésame a toda la familia Montes nuestra oración estará con ustedes .
Agradezco al Señor la oportunidad de haber conocido a una persona tan noble con un gran corazón cómo Samuel siempre con esa sonrisa en su rostro ,gracias Samuel por el cariño y lo que hiciste por mi hermana Sandra Montes y su familia,Se que Dios te tiene glorioso gozando de su presencia te recordaremos 
Olga leiton 

Greetings Family Montes, My deepest condolences to you and family! Deeply sorry for what happened to Mr. Montes, I reside in Bonita, and I heard the horrible news through Next-door app.  It appears, he was well respected at work and through the community. I pray to God that, some day it will bring you peace. I can't imagine what the family is going thru at this moment. 

Many Blessings, to entire family.

Respectfully, 
Laura Ruiz-Osuna  

Our deepest condolences to the Montes family. 
Samuel was so fun to be around  so full of laughter and happiness. 
He will be greatly missed.
RIP our friend.
Andres and Rose Ann Crosthwaite 

My family and I are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Mr. Montes. We have lived in the Bonita Mariposa Community for the past 10 years on Sunny Crest Ln and during our time here, we were lucky enough to have Mr. Montes as our neighbor. He would always brighten up my day with that friendly wave of his and that contagious smile he had when he would see me driving my plumbing truck. Not only was he a great neighbor, he was also my principal when I attended Montgomery High School. The community will not be the same without him. My condolences and prayers go out to his beloved family. 

- Giovanny Martinez & Family❤️

Sam Montes was one of the best principals that I worked for at Montgomery High School.  He was available and out with the students all the time.  I am still teaching in Glendale, Arizona.  He was a wonderful man and a blessing to many. 

Janette Carballo-Braun
(Jaye Carballo)

We’re sending our deepest condolences and thoughts to the Montes family .
Sam was a sweet loving man with a sincere heart for God and family . 
We will always remember his big smile and kind words.
To my cousin Gloria , we’re praying for comfort and strength from the Lord . 
You had a beautiful marriage for 50 years , what a blessing! 
Love you 
Nathan and Lydia Gutierrez 

My condolences to Sam's family.  I knew him while he was the principal of Montgomery High School. I remember him as a sincere, honest, hard-working man who held his family in high esteem. He did his best in a very challenging situation. 

Our love, prayers, and condolences go out to Gloria, his children, and the rest of the family! I know that words cannot lessen the pain of loss you are experiencing. Only God can and that will come with time. We know that Sammy is with his heavenly Father, rejoicing! 
Allow God to cover you with His divine love and comfort in those moments when you feel like the sadness will overcome you and cherish the special times shared with him.

Joe and Gloria Blanco

Our deepest condolences to the Montes Family.  Sam was a great man and neighbor.  He was our number one go to for advice or help in our neighborhood.  The neighborhood will not be the same without him.  We will miss his daily greeting coming in and out of our house.  We will miss talking to him.  He had the best smile, the best laugh, and the best stories.  Sam you will be forever in our hearts and mind.  May you rest in peace ❤️

My heart is broken.  My deepest condolences to the Montes family.  He was the BEST neighbor and friend.  I met him when we moved in 30 years ago and he never changed.  He had the biggest heart, all my friends and family knew who he was because he was always outside with that big beautiful smile and that warm wave hello.  He always looked out for my daughter Malina and was doing the same for my grand daughter Azaria.  I loved our conversations when I would go for walks.  I’m 47 now and we’ve been having conversations for 30 years!!! I’m going to miss him.  My whole family will too.  I wish there were more Sam’s out there.  A genuine caring, loving, and generous guy.  You will always be loved and remembered Sam ❤️

Dear Montes Family - Please be comforted  knowing how much "Sammy" was loved by so many friends and everyone he touched over the years with his infectious smile and laughter, he was always one of my favorite people to see... always gave a big hug and smile... made me feel so special.  I wish I could be there to give you my condolences in person but I am not in San Diego at this time.   Love to all the Montes Families -  Betty Aranda

me and my tio sam and tia gloria on my birthday 

Mr. Montez was my Spanish teacher in the mid 70’s.  Having him for a  teacher was so fun.  He would sing and was always happy.  I remember learning to sing  Feliz Navidad in his class and every  year I tell the same story to my family no matter how old I get about learning it and always turn it up every time it comes on the radio.  You will be missed by many that saw you everyday but also by those of us that you so lovingly taught. You touched all our hearts with your great smile, love of teaching, and your guitar. May you rest in peace. 💔🙏

Mr. Montes was my Spanish teacher and counselor at Roosevelt Junior High.  I can say with confidence that all of his students loved him.  There was a reason that 7th & 8th graders called him the coolest teacher....he just had so much fun teaching his students.  One minute he could be stern and then 5 minutes later he would be laughing and joking around with us.  Even though most of us past students haven't seen him in years, I know he left a lasting impression on us all.  RIP Senor Montes.  

Our hearts go out to the family.   Sam will always be remembered and missed by all of us.   Sam had a giant heart and was always there to meet and greet everyone.  Every time I drive by the house,  I still want to wave to him.  He was, of course, the greeter for the whole neighborhood.   Words are  so inadequate to express our sorrow to the whole family.  He is looking down on all of us now and we will all be with him again in the hereafter. 

We are so sorry for your loss. The neighborhood won't be the same without Sam 💔  We will miss him dearly. Always and Forever in our hearts ~ Ken & Julie Swanson 

I'm so sorry to hear of Sam's passing. He was my Spanish teacher in the 1970s, and he left an enduring impression on me. He loved his work, and he was a blessing to all the lives that he touched. May you always feel surrounded by his love. 

Mr. Montes was my 7th and 8th grade Soanish teacher in 1978 and 79 at Roosevelt JHS. He was a young teacher, still in his twenties and so enthusiastic.  He loved his job and it showed. He would play guitar in class and teach us with song.  He always had a big smile. I loved having his as a teacher. I would run into him occasionally in North Park in the later '80's and was able to meet his wife and two little boys. He got to meet my baby daughter and was so sweet with her.   My sincere condolences and love to Mrs. Montes and the boys.  Descansa en Paz Querido Maestro.

Mr. Montes, a spirit soul of a teacher/counselor.  I met him @ Roosevelt Jr.  High School and he was awesome.  I pray his family will find peace and comfort in knowing that God, love him more.  Thanks for all your advice and rest in Paradise until we all meet again 🙏🏽 

OBITUARY

Samuel Michel Montes

June 19, 1951 – January 16, 2023

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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