Arlyn Royce Montgomery

The world got sunnier on November 5, 1945, when Arlyn Royce Montgomery was born at Lexington Hospital to Arthur and Mabel Montgomery. He had an idyllic life growing up in Eustis, Nebraska. Arlyn considered his childhood the best any kid could have. Mabel was a kind, caring mother, and very importantly to Arlyn, a great cook. He cherished memories with his dad playing catch, hunting and fishing, and most valued how Art was always there for him. The rich faith instilled in him as a boy provided a steady foundation for his life. Every December, Arlyn would fondly tell of a favorite childhood tradition: attending Christmas Eve service with his family at his small Lutheran church across the street from his house, then bolting home to wait beside the Christmas tree for his family to finally join him to open presents. He also enjoyed Luther League as a teenager and Christmas caroling to elderly people living in the country. In high school, he loved playing eight-man football; his team won the Class B state title his senior year. He recorded his football days in a memory book with a picture of him in uniform captioned: “Eat your heart out, Tom Osborne.”

Arlyn graduated as a Eustis Tiger in 1963. His graduating class was a small but mighty 24 students. He went on to Kearney State College to earn a Bachelor of Education degree (though his proudest college accomplishment was winning grand champion of a ping-pong tournament). In the summer of ‘64, Arlyn’s heart was stolen by Peggy Ann George when he spotted her across the dance floor. They met at a youth center dance held in the Cozad High School gym. After just a few dances, he knew he was smitten, and he asked her for a date. They married on a glorious June day (6/24/1967) at Cozad Lutheran Church.

The happy couple were blessed with two children, Jenny and Chris. Arlyn always called Jenny his “sunshine girl” and she was his favorite tag-along buddy. Chris enjoyed Boy Scouts with his Dad. Their family years on Crest Drive in Papillion were filled with love, laughter, and many games of bat-and-ball pitched by Arlyn. He loved to travel, especially on cross-country family road trips. In a memory journal, Arlyn listed the most beautiful sights of his life: Peggy, the crashing waves at Pemaquid on the Maine coast, Lake Como in northern Italy, autumn foliage in New England, and spring in Ireland. In addition to these travels, Arlyn ran ELEVEN marathons in various locations, including Chicago, Duluth, Kansas City, and San Francisco.

Arlyn’s light shined brightly for over 40 years teaching geography in the Omaha Public School district. His fantastic sense of humor and outgoing personality made him a favorite of both students and staff. In the classroom, he strived to make learning fun for students by creating unique projects. In the break room, Arlyn developed a reputation for his practical jokes on his colleagues. He taught Driver’s Education in the summers and substitute-taught for a decade following his retirement; he truly enjoyed interacting with students and helping them grow.

From students to sunflowers, Arlyn loved to cultivate young life. He planted a bountiful garden every year and carefully tended the plants from germination to blossom. His granddaughters treasure memories of picking cherry tomatoes with him and eating them straight off the vine. In his later years, he developed a fondness for growing giant wonders in his backyard. His massive pumpkins grew to record-setting weights, each one nicknamed after the cast of Peanuts (Linus grew to be the largest at over 600 pounds!). In 2019, the Omaha World Herald featured “Papa Sunflower” and his 15-foot-tall sunflower in a headline article.

Like his soaring sunflowers, Arlyn always kept his face turned towards the sun. He had the greatest “attitude of gratitude” and his cheerful nature, sweet smile, and genuine compassion endeared him to everyone he encountered. His sincere appreciation for every person and every blessing radiated in his interactions. He had a rare ability to make people feel seen and special. He truly believed “every day is a gift” and lived his life as such. He was a fiercely devoted husband and deeply in love with Peggy for over 57 years. His children and granddaughters were the brightest lights of his life.

Though Arlyn was an excellent teacher, his highest vocational calling was being “Papa.” He delighted in his three granddaughters (Ellie, Lauren, and Annie) from the day they were born till the day of his death. Every morning, Papa sent each girl a personalized text full of emojis, specific encouragement about a test or audition, and loving words. He played a starring role in their lives, and he got enormous joy from knowing all the details of their every day. Papa affectionately nicknamed the girls “his monsters.” He was their biggest cheerleader and their best friend. They will miss his homemade signs lining his driveway to welcome them for a visit, his facetime calls, his adoration of the Nebraska Huskers, his eagerness to build a snowman with them, his newspaper-wrapped presents from “The Arlyn Montgomery Fine School of Wrapping,” his big laugh, his love of sharing his favorite music with them, his amusement from quirky The Far Side comics, his famous root beer floats, and his warm bear hugs.

Arlyn went to Heaven early in the morning of February 5, 2025. He passed away peacefully while holding Peggy’s hand. He was our sunshine, and the world became dimmer when he left it. Arlyn is being greeted in glory by his parents, Mabel and Art Montgomery. He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy; his sunshine girl, Jenny Lashier, and her husband, Andy Lashier; his son Christopher Montgomery; and his adoring granddaughters Ellie, Lauren, and Annie Lashier. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

Arlyn loved these people BIG; his immense love for them overflowed into long texts and grand displays. This past October, he planted 300 tulip bulbs in his yard as a Christmas gift for Peggy. His childlike excitement while planting this surprise was precious. In just a few months, the tulips he planted for her will blossom. Though he will not be on earth for the great bloom, these flowers will remind us that hope springs eternal. Arlyn’s perennial sunshine spirit lives on in every tulip he planted and every heart he touched.

We will honor and celebrate Arlyn’s life on Monday, February 17th, at Trinity Church in Papillion with a visitation at 9:30 am, a memorial service at 11:00 am, and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Youth for Christ ministries.