Sidney J. Montgomery, 88, of Sunnyside passed away on December 5, 2011 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 16, 1923 to Joseph and Ada (King) Montgomery in International Falls, MN.
Sidney moved to the Northwest at a young age with his family. He graduated Bellingham High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Navy after High School where he served as Commissary Man First Class. He married Jessie F. Strode on December 1, 1945 and attended Western Washington College of Education and achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1954. Sidney moved to Eastern Washington in 1960 to start his 34-year teaching career with the Sunnyside School District. He spent the majority of his teaching career at Lincoln Elementary School teaching 6th grade. He began part-time farming in the late 60’s and continued after his retirement raising apples and hay on the family farm on Cherry Hill. In his spare time he was a true horseman who loved caring for and riding his horses. He enjoyed his many pack trips into remote locations in the Cascades with friends and family.
Sidney is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ada Montgomery and his sister, Maxine Reel of Bellingham.
Sidney is survived by his wife, Jessie Montgomery of Sunnyside; son, James (Rebecca) Montgomery of Yakima; daughters, Martha Presley and Louise Thies of California; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will take place on Friday, December 9, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at West Hills Memorial Park in Yakima. Those wishing to attend the burial should meet at the cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.valleyhillsfh.com
