David Oren Montgomery, Jr. ’53

David Oren Montgomery, Jr. ’53, of Statesville, N.C., passed away March 23 at his home following a year-long battle with cancer. He was born on June 6, 1931, in Statesville to Dr. David Oren Montgomery, Sr. and Nora Neal Foard Montgomery, who preceded him in death. On Dec. 20, 1952, he married the former Audrey Jane Loftin, 2514 Heritage Cir., Statesville, NC 28625, who survives. Other survivors include the couple’s three children, David Oren Montgomery III, Claire M. Bailey ’78 (David ’77), and William T. Montgomery. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by four grandchildren, Erin Cantey Bailey, Allison Neal Bailey, John Montgomery Bailey, and William Thomas Montgomery, Jr; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Philip L. and Martha “Pat” H. Loftin; and two cousins, Lucy Foard McCall and Barbara Foard Freiman. As a young man, Montgomery was active in Scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Davidson, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and graduated with a degree in business. Following graduation from Davidson, he joined the staff of Merchants and Farmers Bank in Statesville, which later merged with North Carolina National Bank. He enjoyed a 30-year career in banking, working his way through the ranks to the position of vice president. In later years, he worked in both the insurance and real estate business. Dave was a life-long member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Statesville, and a faithful member of the usher team until his health began to fail. His community activities included membership in the Jaycees and the Statesville Kiwanis Club, where he served as treasurer for many years and was active in the club’s money-raising and service projects, such as the Iredell County Fair and the Tar Heel Classic Horse Show. He was also active with local chapters of the American Heart Association and the United Way. Dave enjoyed golf, and was an avid Davidson and N.C. State basketball fan, as well as a Panthers fan.