Hugh Lamar Montgomery

Mr. Jack “The Bee Man” Montgomery, age 90, of 76 Cunningham Road, Rome, GA passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, August 16, 2010 after a year of declining health.

Mr. Montgomery was born in Vann’s Valley on August 20, 1919 in the house that he resided in his entire life. He was the son of the late Hugh L. Montgomery, Sr. and the late Mabel Powers Montgomery. He was also preceded in death by his wife Agnes “Mitt” Lackey Montgomery and one sister, the late Carolyn Montgomery Shipley. He was a member of Vann’s Valley United Methodist Church.

Mr. Montgomery graduated from Cave Spring High School in 1936 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia in 1940. When he returned home from college, he took over the family business, Montgomery Dairy. In 1955 the Montgomery Dairy joined with other dairies to form a co-op called Green Meadow Dairies, of which Mr. Montgomery was president. Eventually Green Meadow merged with Atlanta Dairies and subsequently Mr. Montgomery and the Montgomery Dairy were recipients of numerous awards for outstanding achievement in milk production. After Mr. Montgomery officially retired from the dairy business in 1975, he continued to run a hay and cattle farm with son Monty.

In the 1960’s, Mr. Montgomery earned the nickname “The Bee Man”, when he started Jack’s Bee Farm. He was quite well known in the community for his unique sales approach which was to sell honey on the honor system from his front porch. Mr. Montgomery was active in the Cedar Valley Beekeeper’s Association in the 1970’s and conducted many beekeeping seminars for area school children and adults.

In 1964 Mr. Montgomery became a National Weather Observer. As one of many volunteer weather observers, he conscientiously contributed his time to relay vital weather data to NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS). During his 90th birthday celebration in 2009, Frank Taylor presented Mr. Montgomery with a recognition award for 45 years of continuous volunteer service.

Survivors are his son, H.L. “Monty” Montgomery and daughter in law Patricia Montgomery of Cave Spring: Three nieces and several great nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Thursday, August 19, 2010 in the Thomas B. Griffin Memorial Chapel of the Daniel’s Funeral Home with the Reverend Gerald L. Folds officiating. Interment will follow in the Cave Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 until 9 PM at Daniel’s. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Jesse Montgomery, Andy Montgomery, Tim Montgomery, Joel Montgomery, Mike Maret, and Quinn Howard. Honorary pallbearers are Carl von Achen and Charles Maret.

Daniel’s Funeral Home is serving the family of Hugh Lamar “Jack” Montgomery, Jr.