David C. Montgomery

     David Clayton Montgomery passed away peacefully on 8 March 2023 at Easton Memorial Hospital, Talbot Co., Maryland. He was born in 1947, the son of Clayton and Emily “Peggy” (Lynch) Montgomery of Ridgely, Caroline Co. His father, “Dink”, was a veteran of WWII, baseball enthusiast, and the proprietor of a local filling station; his mother, “Peggy”, worked in the office at Saulsbury Bros. in Ridgely. Dave is survived by a brother, Francis “Hines” Montgomery and his wife, Betsy, and their daughter, Emma Montgomery, of Greensboro North Carolina.

     While at North Caroline High School class of 1965, Dave excelled at playing football (No. 75), as well as track and field events (discus & shot put). As a student he had a special ability in math. He was “...recognized by the Central Assoc. of Science and Mathematics Teachers, Inc. for obtaining the solutions of problems from their journal, School Science and Mathematics” [6 Nov. 1964, Denton Journal newspaper].

     Dave wore many hats during his life. He was a six-year U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean subsequent to training in nuclear and advanced electronics programs. Dave attended Chesapeake College, Queen Anne’s County, and was a graduate of Salisbury State College, Wicomico County, MD. He enjoyed amusing, as well as heated, philosophical debates and was nearly hit many times by Dr. Jerry Miller’s chalkboard eraser. David worked with troubled youth as a counselor at Bethany House in Caroline County and, briefly, as security at the Whitsitt Center in Chestertown, Kent County. He was employed by the Somerset County Soil Conservation Office and later worked as a surveyor for the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources out of Anne Arundel County. Eventually, he taught Math and Computer Science at Chesapeake College, Queen Anne’s County, until his retirement.

     Dave grew up in Ridgely and lived there for a long time on Maple Ave., after returning from college. Briefly, he lived on Bakers Lane in Kent County. Later, for many years, David lived in Templeville, Caroline Co., until his health deteriorated. At that time, he became a resident at the Inns of Evergreen in Denton, Caroline Co., under the care and management of Ms. Charlethia Awkward and staff.

     Although Dave could not swim, he joined the Navy. He was also one of the co-owners of the raucous and often-submerged motorboat "Poseidon" at the Choptank River Boat Club. He loved country and folk music, played guitar and sang. A friend from college remembers his beautiful tenor voice and intense blue eyes: “When my son was just barely a toddler he would ride on Dave’s knee while having a firm grip of Dave’s long beard & hair joyfully listening to Amie from Pure Prairie League.”

     Dave savored a good meal and frequently dined out. Never stingy, he was a generous tipper. A deeply religious person, he investigated various aspects of Christianity. He was raised Catholic and enjoyed the writings of Thomas Merton, as well as the activities of the Berrigans, Dorothy Day and liberation theology. For a time, he attended Third Haven in Easton and was a friend of the late Dr. Kenneth Carroll. Dave became interested in Unitarianism and attended services in Chestertown. While in Templeville, Dave became acquainted with the nearby Mennonite congregation.

     Dave was never big on attending funerals and there will not be a service per se, but a celebration of his life with light fare is being planned for family, friends and acquaintances on Thursday, March 23rd at 1 pm, at the Museum of Rural Life located on the courthouse square at 16 N 2nd Street in Denton, MD. Friends should visit from 12:30 until 1 before the celebration.

     PLEASE DO NOT SEND FLOWERS. If friends wish to make memorial donations in Dave’s memory, please make it to the charity of your choice.

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