Raymond Montgomery

Raymond Lee "Butch" Montgomery was born on January 22, 1955 to Bill Montgomery and Joann (Gamble) Montgomery in Stilwell, Oklahoma. After the loss of his mother to cancer at age ten, he and his three siblings were taken into the loving home of their maternal grandparents, Raymond and Margie Gamble.

Ray attended Maryetta elementary and middle schools, and graduated from Stilwell High School in 1973 where he excelled in football as a running back and also played guitar in a local church band. He learned the trades of welding and mechanics as he grew up working in his grandpa Gamble's shop at the "North Y" in Stilwell.

After high school, Ray served his country honorably in the United States Navy as an Engineer's Mate on the Navy Destroyer USS Buchanan. Following his military career Ray married Julie Caster and started a family in northern California where they resided for many years. He was especially close to his two daughters, Felicia and CeCe, whom he adored. Ray eventually returned to his native Stilwell to live out his remaining years before losing a hard-fought battle with cancer. He enjoyed helping people, working with his hands, being outdoors, camping, riding motorcycles, playing competitive pool with his APA league team and spending time with his friends and family.

Ray is survived by his two daughters and son-in-law: Felicia and Greg Long and Cecilia Montgomery all of Yuba City, California, two sisters and one brother: Vicky Townes, Rhonda Doyle and Ralph Keen, all of Stilwell, and seven grandchildren: Courtney, Ian, Gregory and Marissa Long, and Ava, Sky, and Lex Montgomery. His body will return to the earth, but his kind and gentle spirit will live on in our hearts.