E. Montgomery Smith Jr.
E. Montgomery "Monty" Smith Jr., 79, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2018.
Monty graduated from TCU in 1960. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and held the position of pledge trainer in 1959-1960. Monty joined the Navy in 1960 and was accepted into Officer Candidate School in January 1961. Upon being commissioned, he served as naval liaison gunnery officer on the USS Henry W. Tucker DDR875. Monty was honorably discharged in 1964. Upon discharge, he volunteered for the Fleet Marine Forces and was one of six Naval officers chosen to operate on the USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He graduated from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. He was employed by Bell Helicopter for 10 years. In 1984, he accepted a position with ARAMCO as Director of Engineering for the Helicopter Fleet for the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and retired in 1998.
Monty enjoyed working and traveling abroad throughout his life. He was initiated into the Masonic Estelle Lodge #582 in 1976 and was a Master Mason. Monty was a member of Moslah Shrine Temple and the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Bodies. He was an honorary member of the Fort Worth Thunderbirds Radio Control Association. His passion was building and flying remote model airplanes. He had a unique and special talent for this hobby.
Monty was a devoted, loving husband and father. He loved the Lord, his family, his friends, our military, and was an avid animal lover. Monty enjoyed life! He never met a stranger. He was silly and thrived on making people laugh, enjoyed having fun, helping people, and he loved music. He was loved by so many! Rest in peace, Monty. We love you, and you will be sorely missed until we meet again.
Monty was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Emmett Montgomery Smith and Katherine Sarah Young-Smith of Shiner, Texas. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Judy Smith; his daughter, Linda and her husband, Sam J. Salvato Jr.; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jeral and Linda Ellis of Burleson, Texas.
VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the funeral home. Interment: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, Lane 3. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Patriot House, 2320 Cypress St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 or any organization that assists homeless veterans.