Dalton E. Montgomery

Dalton E. Montgomery, retired building contractor, passed away at his home in Taos on February 10, 2009. He was born in Eureka, Colorado, December 12, 1917. In the 1930s, the family moved to Taos, where his father completed the original Holy Cross Hospital and later established the E. Montgomery Construction Company. Dalton graduated from Taos High Schoool with honors, at 15 and worked in the family business until retirement. One of his first assignments was remodeling the church at the Taos Pueblo. He built several residences in Taos, including two homes for his own family. His project included many schools and public spaces, notably the addition to the New Mexico Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe, the First Presbyterian Church in Taos, and the La Fonda Hotel, also in Taos. Dalton was married to Olivia Perralut in 1939. Together they raised five children. She preceded him in death in 2000. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Elmer and Maude Montgomery, his brother, Gene, his twin sister, Eva, who died in infancy, his grandson Kevin Montgomery, and granddaughter, Karen Pettine Martinez. Dalton pursued many hobbies. For a time he piloted his own plane. He played golf, hunted and fished, painted in oils, and made furniture and violins. During his lifetime, he received many awards and honors. He was most proud of his Boone and Crockett record big game kills of Polar and Kodiak bears, and his inclusion in the Strad Directory of the worlds finest luthiers (makers of violins, cellos, etc.) He loved children and had many kid friends. He loved hunting dogs and during his lifetime owned several. He is survived by his children, Dalton Montgomery Jr., of Cortez, Colorado, Donna Pettine of Las Vegas, New Mexico, Yvonne Montgomery-Weber, Pat Montgomery and Mark Montgomery of Taos, and Connie Archuleta of Fort Garland, Colorado. Surviving grandchildren are Blaine Montgomery of Cortez, Colorado, Wade Montgomery and wife Sundae of Grand Junction, Colorado, Kelly P. Farley and husband Bo, Kristian Pettine of Albuquerque, Averie M. Diener and husband Matthew, Rachel Weber of Santa Fe, Renee Weber, Regan Weber, Veronica Ramirez, and Ronnie Archuleta, Jr. of Taos. Also surviving him are eight great grandchildren. Pallbearers: Chad Padilla, Jim Oakeley, Woody Crumbo, Joseph Concha, Bo Farley and Gil John Tafoya. Honorary Pallbearers: Albino Chacon, Chet Mitchell and Blaine Montgomery. A funeral mass will also be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 10 AM on Friday, February 13, 2009. Arrangements are under the direction of Rivera Family Mortuaries. www.riverafuneralhome.com