Obituary of Bert Montague

Bert McGee Montague went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2012, at the age of 88. He was born November 16, 1923 to Archibald James, Sr. and Pearl Hunt Montague in Raleigh.

A Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 - 8 p.m., Monday May 14, 2012.

Born on a farm but not much of a farmer, Bert remained physically active throughout his life. In addition to tennis, swimming, biking and golfing, he was a runner, successfully completing marathons in Charlotte and Richmond, Virginia after reaching the age of 60. He was a graduate of Knightdale High School, Hardbarger Business College, Wake Forest University and the Wake Forest Law School.

Bert was a Fighter Pilot in WWII, serving in Europe with the 359th Fighter Group flying over 30 missions. He continued to serve in the USAF Reserves after the war, retiring as a Colonel in 1977.

He married Inez Hood of Zebulon on September 14, 1946 in Petersburg, Virginia. They were charter members of Temple Baptist Church and longtime members of Calvary Baptist Church.

After a brief period in the practice of law, Bert held several administrative positions with the N.C. Judicial Department, receiving appointments from six successive Chief Justices, culminating in service as Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts of North Carolina. From there he went to work for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, retiring as Clerk of Court in 1996.

He retired to Seven Lakes, N.C., living in a lakefront home, enjoying biking and sailing. He was a happy and grateful member of Seven Lakes Baptist Church.

In 2010 Bert and Inez moved back to Raleigh to the Abbotswood Retirement Community to be closer to family.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Lena Hobgood of Graham, Archie J., Jr., Joe, Pete, and Mae Francis of Raleigh, Jack of Wendell and Lucille Mitchell of Greenville, and another brother, Wilson, who was killed in action in WWII while serving with the 385th Fighter Group in Europe.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Inez; sons Robert Mack of Buford, GA and Glenn of Raleigh; daughters, Terry Smith of Raleigh and Anne Radford and husband, Greg, of Raleigh; grandsons, Miles and Wells Montague of Alpharetta, GA, Kenny Smith and wife Christie of Roanoke, VA, William Smith and wife Christine of Winston-Salem, and Steve and Sam Radford of Raleigh; and great-grandson Connor Smith of Roanoke, VA. He is also survived by two brothers, Billy and wife Jackie of Wilson, Bobby and wife Susan of Raleigh, and brother-in-law Charlie Mitchell of Greenville.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Wake County for all the help and support they provided during Bert's illness.In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of Wake County 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or www.hospiceofwake.org/donate.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com