Obituaries : Kevin Montgomery; Scottish Culture Enthusiast

Kevin J. Montgomery of Ventura, a self-taught maven of Scottish culture and heritage, died Tuesday in a Ventura hospital following a brief illness. He was 39.

Montgomery was born Dec. 17, 1956, in Leavenworth, Kan. A 28-year Ventura County resident, Montgomery attended local schools and graduated in 1975 from Buena High School. He didn’t go to college but on his own studied world history as well as Scottish culture and heritage, and whenever possible Montgomery would attend Scottish Highland games, said his mother, Verna Montgomery of Ventura.

“Kevin was very knowledgeable in events both current and past. You could ask him any question about any topic, any person, anything and he could give you the answer,” his mother said.

For several years Montgomery worked in the shoe department of the J.C. Penney store in Ventura. “He was loved by fellow employees and customers,” his mother said.

In his spare time, Montgomery enjoyed listening to country music and playing with his dog, a Scottish terrier. “His real hobby was old movies, and he enjoyed the movie stars from the 1940s. He liked Lana Turner, stars from that era,” said Verna Montgomery.

Given her son’s love of all things Scottish, she said it is not surprising that his favorite movie was “Braveheart,” the Oscar-winning film set in 13th-century Scotland that chronicled freedom fighter William Wallace’s fight against the English king.

In addition to his mother, Montgomery is survived by his father, Wayne; two brothers, the Rev. R. Neal Montgomery of Covina and Gene Montgomery of Ventura; a sister, Margaret Leeann Montgomery of Lemoore; and two nephews.

The family will meet with friends of Montgomery from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.

Services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Charles R. Simmons, retired, First United Methodist Church of Ventura, and the Rev. R. Neal Montgomery of Evangelical Free Church of Covina. Cremation will follow.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.