Karen Joyce Montandon

Karen Joyce Montandon, 75, of Lakeway, Texas, wife, retired banking executive and real estate broker, died peacefully in her sleep Friday, May 31, 2024, at her home in Lakeway, Texas of complications from a Parkinson’s induced fall.

Born on September 28, 1948, in Knox City, Texas, Karen was the daughter of Mildred and JT Cook of Gilliland, Texas. Her grade school and middle school years in Gilliland were spent in a tiny school where she was one of a handful of students, most raised on ranches and farms. She usually had one teacher for three grades. During those years, Karen was also a 4H Club member. She raised and competitively showed white-faced Hereford steers. She attended high school in Munday, Texas located twenty miles away. There she was an excellent student and participated in many school activities, including being a cheerleader. Upon graduation, she enrolled at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, joining her husband-to-be, John. They were married in December 1968 and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2023.

Early in their marriage, she and John lived in Texas, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, and Mississippi before settling in California in 1978. She and John lived 39 years in California, most of that time near the Pacific Ocean with homes in Palos Verdes Estates and Hermosa Beach, and later spent two years in Palm Desert.

Karen retired after 20+ years in the banking and financial services business, the last five years as Vice President of Investor Relations for Imperial Credit Industries. Shortly after this retirement, she became a successful residential real estate broker specializing in the Southern California beach communities. Upon her second retirement, she and John moved to Palm Desert and then to Lakeway, Texas.

Karen had several passions, one being domestic and international travel. Along with John, she traveled extensively throughout the US, as well as to dozens of other countries. She particularly enjoyed Italy and had plans to return with John before her passing. Some of her most memorable trips were to Africa, Western and Eastern Europe, New Zealand, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, among others. She particularly enjoyed sailing in the Caribbean and cruises in the Mediterranean.

Another passion was her pet dogs. She leaves two-year-old Sammy and Cooper, whom she loved dearly.

Karen was also an avid reader, enjoying a wide range of subjects. She was also a superb dancer, a good athlete and had remained physically fit all her life. She enjoyed golf with her girlfriends, as well as tennis, and loved to go on long walks. In 1995, she rode with an organized bicycle group across the state of Georgia over a span of several days.

Karen and John were members of The Hills Country Club in Lakeway, and previously at Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, CA.

One of the most meaningful moments of Karen’s life came less than four months before her death. She was baptized by Pastor Randy Phillips at Life Family Austin Church in Lakeway. It was an immensely meaningful step for her and John, and she was very proud of her decision.

Karen was affable and easy to get to know. She had many friends across the US. She was always very proper in her appearance and manners, and had a gentle, easy-going nature, reflective of her rural Texas upbringing. Karen was also a strikingly beautiful woman.

Karen is survived by her husband of 55 years, John. They had no children nor surviving siblings. Her only brother, Johnnie Cook, passed away in 2021. She is also survived by her niece, Alicia Williams, and Alicia’s three children, Jakob, Sydney, and Hannah, as well as nephew Jeff Cook and his daughter Keleigh and son Jaxon. Karen is also survived by cousins, David Cook and his wife Melissa’s two sons, Zachary, and Caleb. Also survived by cousin Donna Cook Querner and her daughter Tara Hanks and son Tyler Lewellen.

Karen’s ashes will be spread in the Pacific Ocean on July 27 near the beach home she and John enjoyed for many years.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Texas Tech Alumni Association Endowment Trust Scholarship Fund. Texas Tech University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your contribution is tax deductible.

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From the dropdown boxes, please select TTAA Endowment Trust Scholarship Fund and the Highland Lakes Chapter.