James Arthur Montgomery (88) passed away peacefully at Meridian Care and Rehab Center in Meridian, Idaho on November 22, 2009. Born on February 10, 1921, in Cabool, Missouri, he was the son of the late China May (Calloway) and Homer Alva Montgomery. In 1936, the family moved to Greenleaf, Idaho, but soon after the start of WWII, James moved to Bremerton, Washington to work in the Puget Sound Navy Yard where he was employed as a shipfitter. In 1947, because of the influence of a dear friend, Don Fivecoat, James moved to Portland, Oregon where he attended Cascade College. It was in Portland at Highland Park Church that he met and married Esther Hammer, youngest daughter of Rev. Ira and Jessamine Hammer. (Rev. Hammer was a pioneer of the Church of the Nazarene, being one of its early preachers and district superintendents.) James and Esther continued to live in the Portland area, where he worked at A. B. Smith Chevrolet Co. In 1964, he resigned and opened his own insurance agency. Later, after much prayer, he moved his office and rented a space from friend and fellow agent, Chet Hill. James believed that God had directed him to the right place, at the right time, with the right people. He was very involved with his community and was part of the Portland Auxiliary Police, the U. S. Navy League, Cascade College Board of Regents, Parkrose Chamber of Commerce, and was appointed, by then Governor Mark Hatfield, to the Oregon Building Congress; however, the most important area of involvement for James was his church where he served on the board and had a variety of responsibilities. He was a member of Rose City Church of the Nazarene for over 50 years. James and Esther always had a love of the elderly, and after selling his agency, they opened a foster care home for adults in 1985. This work was most rewarding, and James was honored as "Hero of the Week," on Channel 6 in Portland, for his work with hospice care. In 2003, they decided to move to Meridian, Idaho to be closer to their daughter. Since moving to the Boise area, James has been an active member of Boise New Hope Church of the Nazarene. In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by his sister, Nellie May Foster Squibb of Caldwell, his brother, Alma (Mack) Bissonnett of Baker, Oregon and his grand-daughter, Anna Montgomery of Keizer, Oregon. James was married for over 60 years and is survived by his devoted wife, Esther; his children, Connee May Bentley of Meridian, Donald James (Lorette) Montgomery of Keizer, Oregon, and Dwight Alva (Terri) Montgomery of Troutdale, Oregon; his grandchildren, Rylee May, Bryan James, Chandos, Amy, Jane, Mason, Logan, Ellen, Samuel, and Lisanne; and his great-grandchildren, Dominic, Adrian, Crew, Amelie, and Trenton James. Joseph Ward has been like a grandson to Grandpa, and we thank him for his great help. We would also like to thank Dr. Fred Fender and the nurses and staff at Meridian Care and Rehab Center for their exceptional care and loving attention during James' illness. A celebration of life will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at Boise New Hope Church of the Nazarene, 8585 Overland Rd., Boise, Idaho. Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home, 105 E. Carlton Ave. Meridian, ID 83642; 888-4454.

Published in Idaho Statesman on December 6, 2009