Harold L Montgomery

Harold L. Montgomery died August 30, 2022. Born January 12, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas to Paul and Oleta Montgomery. While in high school he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Harold graduated from Wichita High School Southeast in 1963, where he excelled in football, wrestling and track. He was named to the first team of the Wichita Eagle-Beacon All City Football team in 1962, and received honorable mention All State. Harold was honored in the Wichita Eagle-Beacon Parade of Champions as outstanding high school football lineman in 1963. Considered a blue-chip recruit, he was pursued by multiple Division 1 schools. He selected The University of Kansas, where he was a starting offensive tackle for the Jayhawks each year after freshman football. He was named to the Associated Press All Big Eight second team in 1967. Harold earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Education from the University of Kansas. His first job after graduation from KU was at Spring Hill Kansas High School from 1968 to 1979, where he taught science and biology, and coached football, track and wrestling. He was head football coach from 1970 to 1977, and head wrestling coach 1968 to 1979. From 1979 to 2005 Harold was Department Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Wichita High School South. While at South, he coached swimming and football, and served as head football coach from 1983 to 1985. He was an assistant football coach at Friends University in 2003 and 2004, at Wichita Collegiate High School from 2005 to 2007, and again in 2016. He was a strength and conditioning coach at Collegiate from 2005 to 2011. Harold was named to the Wichita Southeast Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. The South High team members and coaching staff of 1987 Wichita City League Football Champions were named to the South High Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Harold and Vivian Nellsch were married in 1969 and were blessed with two children. He is survived by his wife Vivian; son Michael Montgomery, Wichita; daughter Erica Montgomery, Haysville; granddaughter Anabelle Williams and grandson Jacob Williams, both of Haysville; and sister Pauline Polok (John), Hope, Kansas. Preceded in death by his parents. Harold loved football - playing, coaching, and studying it. His highest honor was earning the respect of the fine coaches he worked with over the years. His greatest privilege was being able to impact the lives of the young men and women he taught and coached. He knew the comfort of long-lasting love and value of true friendship. Harold's greatest accomplishment in life was raising two fine children. His most joyful moments were being Dad to his kids and Papa to his grandchildren. No services. Memorial contributions may be made in Harold's memory to Kansas Food Bank.