Stephen Alec Montgomery

1972 - 2024

Stephen Alec Montgomery, 51, hailing from Rosemark, TN and later Austin, TX passed away on May 16, 2024. He was fatally mauled by an escaped zoo lion. Not really, but he would appreciate your help perpetuating the rumor.

Steve was born on August 4, 1972, to William and Patsy Montgomery from whom he acquired his impeccable sense of humor and his love for family and friends. He graduated salutatorian of Bolton High School (1990) and earned a physics degree at Rhodes College (1994) in Memphis, TN. He entered a career in Information Technology with several companies, including Stephenson & Associates in Memphis, TN and UTIMCO in Austin, TX. That career later took him to the Admundsen-Scott South Pole Station for a season as support personnel.

Steve was first and foremost an exceptional son, brother, and friend. He was a constant voice of reason and a trusted confidant. Steve rarely if ever declined an invitation to an adventure, a new activity, or to share the drudgery of manual labor. He shared his time and gave assistance freely to anyone who asked. He listened with interest and concern to anyone needing an ear. Steve was charming and polite, but never condescending. Steve was a fount of positivity and entirely unselfish. He was thankful, honest, intelligent, hilarious, compassionate, caring, empathetic, generous, and above all else he was eternally kind. Steve was equally comfortable in a large group as a small gathering. He was a coveted addition to any congregation of friends, and he had an uncanny ability to make every friend feel like his best friend. He was rarely seen without a smile, a ball, or a trinket. If you knew Steve, you very likely had several inside jokes shared only between him and yourself. He was one of a kind. He is altogether unforgettable.

Steve spent many hours riding his bicycle – his preferred mode of transportation. Steve was an avid reader and a connoisseur of good music, good (if not niche) movies, and fine spirits and ale. He enjoyed a good game of chess. He had a weakness for fried pies and peach cobbler. He shunned confrontation but reveled in good conversation and debate. Both his greatest passion and greatest gift were making people laugh. Steve's dry wit was lightning fast and second to none. To the benefit of us all, Steve preferred to make his life richer with relationships and experiences rather than material things, and by that measure he was truly wealthy.

Steve faced a relentless illness with dignity and an unshakable faith. Despite his distress through chemotherapy, disappointing prognoses, and confronting his impending mortality, he found solace in scripture and the promise of a resurrected life free of illness. The devastating disease which took him from us was unable to steal his sense of humor and the humanity that defined him throughout life. Though he was suffering, he grieved instead for those who would be left without him. He continued to express his selflessness and appreciation to those who cared for him and visited him – apologizing for his inability to share more time and energy. Steve showed us the power of trust in the Promise of our Lord despite the cruel fate that visited him the final year of his life.

Steve was predeceased by his father, William and mother, Patsy. Devastated by his loss are his family and the countless friends whose lives will be slightly less bright with the absence of a soul as endearing as Steve.

Mr. Montgomery's Celebration of Life we be held at Forest Hill Funeral Home - East Chapel on Wednesday, May 20, 20224 at 4:30 PM.