GARY MARTIN MONTGOMERY

FORT WORTH — Gary Martin Montgomery, 85, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and engineer, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Gary was born February 2, 1941, in Springhill, Louisiana, the son of Evaleen Strickland Montgomery and Richard Coy Montgomery. He grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he attended Byrd High School. During his junior year of high school, Gary's family moved to Houston, Texas, and he graduated from Bellaire High School, where he received a National Merit Scholarship Commendation.

Following graduation, Gary returned to Louisiana to attend his beloved Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Along with several lifelong friends from Shreveport, he pledged Kappa Sigma Fraternity, where he was voted Outstanding Pledge in 1960, became the 1,000th initiate of the Gamma Chapter, and later served as chapter treasurer. In 1964, Gary graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, began his career in engineering and construction, and married Ellen Lea Fresh of Alexandria, Louisiana. They later welcomed two children, David Babson and Lea Kathleen, and were married for 17 years.

In 1969, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Houston. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and served on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Industry Advisory Board.

Over a distinguished thirty-two-year career with three engineering and construction firms—most notably Brown & Root—Gary rose from a young chemical engineer to Senior Vice President, helping guide major engineering, construction, and infrastructure projects throughout the United States and around the world. His work took him to industrial and infrastructure projects throughout Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe during a period of unprecedented global industrial growth. He contributed to major petrochemical, energy, offshore production, liquefied natural gas, and water infrastructure projects, earning a reputation for technical expertise, sound judgment, and steady leadership. Throughout his career, Gary remained proud of the opportunity to work alongside talented engineers and project teams whose efforts helped shape critical infrastructure in some of the world's most challenging and rapidly developing regions.

In 1985, Gary married Judith Ann Green of Hibbing, Minnesota. Following a distinguished career, Gary retired at age 55 and embraced the next chapter of life with the same curiosity, discipline, and enthusiasm that had defined his professional years. He and Judy moved to the Pedernales River in Spicewood, Texas, where they created a home filled with books, tools, projects, pets, family, and friends.

Even in retirement, the underlying engineer never fully disappeared. He occasionally provided consulting services on defense-related projects and remained intellectually engaged with engineering, science, and public affairs. In addition, Gary remained active in civic and technical life through Grand Jury service with the District Courts of Travis County and as a volunteer with the Lower Colorado River Authority.

There was always a major house project to be tackled, and he assembled an extraordinary collection of tools and equipment. Gary was an avid reader of science fiction, scientific journals, and his treasured daily newspapers, and could effortlessly discuss subjects ranging from current events to foreign affairs and everything in between. His intelligence, curiosity, dry wit, and quiet confidence made him a valued companion and conversationalist.

Known as "Poppa" to his grandchildren, he spent countless hours teaching, drawing, and leading outdoor adventures. His oldest grandchild, Walker, once remarked, "When I grow up, I want to be a retired engineer who battles fire ants!"

Gary loved to joke that "it's not a coincidence that man's best friend doesn't talk," and dutifully attended to his many canine companions over the years—Molly, Wilhelm, Bismarck, Zelda, Daisy, Abby, and most recently, Cleo. He was equally devoted to his feline friends, Muffin and Big Marvin, who wandered in and took up residence at the family home on the Pedernales River and accompanied Gary and Judy when they relocated to Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth.

Preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Colleen, Gary is survived by his wife of 40 years, Judy; his son, David Babson Montgomery and wife Tiffany of Houston, Texas; his daughter, Lea Montgomery Payne and husband Richard of Fort Worth, Texas; his grandchildren, Walker Hershel Payne, Kathleen Marian Payne, Gavin Vaughn Johnston and Harper Lea Montgomery; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family celebration of Gary's life will be held at a later date. If you wish to make a memorial donation in Gary’s name, please consider a gift to Esophageal Cancer Action Network at ecan.org, or a charity of your choice.