John Edward Montgomery, aged 85 of Nitro, passed away quietly Saturday, August 15, 2026, surrounded by loved ones in South Charleston, WV.
John was born in Keota, Iowa on June 5, 1941, to Robert Montgomery, and Isabelle Kline, and went to Buena Vista College, now University, and then Drake Law School. John also had a Masters of Library Science, and had served as the Dean of the Law Library at the University of Oklahoma, a Masters in History, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. John proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Captain.
He eventually found his way to the West Virginia Supreme Court and retired as an attorney from the State Tax Department, twice.
A craftsman in his spare time, John was also an avid reader and spent his later years serving on the Nitro City Council in a variety of roles.
Always cantankerous and a jokester, “Tanker John” would always tell you he was “fantastic, wonderful, marvelous” and attributed his young appearance to “wine, women, and song.”
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Nancy of Nitro; daughter Missy Holstine of Charleston; sons Brett Montgomery of Shelbyville, KY; Todd (Becky) Montgomery of Katy, Texas, and Steve (Tiffany) Gum of Hurricane; grandchildren Peyton, Tanner, and Shayden Gum, Marshall “Monty” and Jameson Holstine, and Ace, Ayla, Izzy, and Avery Montgomery, brother Don (Jane) Montgomery of Portland, Oregon, as well as a wealth of extended family.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 20 at 1:30 pm at Cooke Funeral Home in Nitro, with Delegate and friend Andy Shamblin presiding. A visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:30 pm for friends and family to call. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens with Military Honors.
