John Alan Montgomery MD
January 24, 1944-November 16, 2024

Family and friends lost a multi-faceted, dedicated surgeon whose kind heart failed him after 80 years of a fun-filled life.

John was born in Los Angeles in 1944 to loving parents Ilah and Milford Montgomery. He grew up with his older sister Cheryl and younger sister Rita in Inglewood, California. He and Jean, his wife of 54 years, raised two children, Maggie and Max, in Fortuna. He was known by his family as smart, caring, supportive, competent, creative, logical, frugal, funny, optimistic and humble.

John graduated from UCLA in 1965 and spent the summer crewing and racing on his uncle’s 73-foot staysail schooner, before entering USC Medical School. During that summer he met his future wife, Jean, whom he married in 1970. He completed his General Surgery Residency at LAC-USC Medical School in 1974 and served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1976 as a major at the NATO base in Adana, Turkey.

In 1976, John began his general surgery career at Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. He was on the staff for almost 48 years and served in a variety of capacities: chief of staff, medical quality review committee, founder of the tumor board, founder of RMH Foundation, Benefit Ball committee. From 1998 to 2001 he joined the Humboldt County Cardiac Surgery Team. From 2008 to 2012 he was an independent contractor for EK Health-Utilization Review. He served on many boards: RMH Board of Trustees, The Ink People Advisory Board, Rohnerville School Board, Eel Valley Foundation Board, Redwood Art Association Board of Trustees. He made many dear friends during his time at RMH, but his work at RMH was just one facet of his extraordinary life.

From an early age, John demonstrated a keen sense of curiosity, tenacity and independence. His educator mother taught her children daily art and music lessons after regular school and enrolled John in tap dance classes from ages four to fourteen. Ilah later claimed that John was good on the varsity tennis team because of his dance training. To the amazement of his parents he learned sign language from their family’s deaf housekeeper. But John claimed he needed to learn it so he could get things to eat while his parents were out.

In junior high, John enrolled in a special project class that met one period a day for a year. His chosen project was origami. He researched local libraries and corresponded with resources in Japan. He learned to fold many intricate objects. He said the project was one of the most fascinating opportunities he had had. The love of origami challenged his structural visual acuity, his curiosity and his sense of wonder.

In high school John continued to pursue his many interests. His love of nature and endless energy provided many adventures. He combed the hills with the Grace Wylie Reptile Society snaring rattlesnakes, to clear the land which is now Palos Verdes. He frequented the tide pools along the southern California coast. He and a friend caught and donated the largest octopus known to Marineland. He collected tropical fish, reptiles, stamps, coins, comic books, puzzles, magic tricks, back bar bottles, recipes and cookbooks, whatever intrigued him. He rode buses all over Los Angeles in pursuit of treasures in pawn shops, junk stores and later in antique shops to add to his collections.

In his junior year at Inglewood High School, John was accepted to participate in Saturday entomology classes at the L.A. Natural History Museum. Thus began his enduring love of entomology. He was constantly on the hunt for insects: collecting, pinning, labeling and displaying his collections. He worked part time as a cook at Rib Junction BBQ, which launched his love of food and cooking. He found a guitar in a neighbor’s trash can and taught himself to play it, and later he learned to play the five-string banjo and played with many music-loving friends. He attempted to learn to play the fiddle, but declared it the most frustrating instrument.

John’s interests were numerous, and his elaborate, practical jokes were legendary and often got him into trouble. He was known as the “whisk” in the OR because he could stir things up.

During and before John’s demanding work years he found the most joy in his children. He thrived on the rewards and challenges of fatherhood. His other passions included: camping, traveling, concocting liqueurs, art, drawing, music, cooking, gambling, daydreaming, problem solving, jewelry making and collecting.

John is survived by his loving wife Jean; his daughter Maggie Montgomery; and his son Max Montgomery; his sister Rita Montgomery; his sister-in-law Mary Nishita; his brothers-in-law Ken Nishita and Bill Nishita (Kim); his nieces and nephews; and his collection of special friends who enriched his life with beauty, art, music, travel, writing, hunting, camping, ceramics, sculpture, cooking, partying, shenanigans and overall excellence.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ilah and Milford Montgomery; his in-laws Miye and Hideo Nishita; his sister and brother-in-law Cheryl and Jerry Stone; and his beloved son-in-law Dan Hood.

At John’s request there will be no services.

John admired and respected, “those who are dedicated to the advancement of human knowledge through personal accomplishment, advanced enquiry and creative contributions.” (International Society for Philosophical Enquiry)

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of John Montgomery’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.