Jimmy Montgomery

James Montgomery passed away on July 16, 2024.  The traditional approach would be to tell you about all of Jimmy’s accomplishments in life and his outstanding character. Well Jimmy didn’t have a long list of business successes or relationships to brag about but he did have that outstanding character.

Jimmy was born in Southern California in January of 1954. He faced challenges his entire life yet survived and found a degree of peace here in New Mexico that he never had in Southern California. Jimmy grew up in the challenging environment of Compton, California. He was proud of that fact and would tell everyone he met about the Bloods and the Crips. No he never was into gangs or drugs or any of that sort of thing. Jimmy at an early age was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic so he had a fear of people. Yet you would never hear a single word of contempt for his fellow human beings he was just afraid of them.

Not understood he was somewhat isolated yet provided his sister and his brother in law support and encouragement whenever needed. Jimmy would tell you that his only immediate family was his sister Nancy Perez-Fugere and brother in law and the most important person in his life was his dog Juice.

Special appreciation is reserved for his best friend Ramon Larranaga who was Jimmy’s Case Worker and trusted friend for all the time he spent in Santa Fe. Ramon went beyond what was necessary thereby becoming Jimmy’s most trusted friend.

For the past decade Jimmy has lived with James and Martha Velarde who have provided shelter, a home, a family, substance and the comfort Jimmy had never known in his life.  The Velardes have provided shelter for a small number of individuals for years who otherwise could be out on our streets. A very important service in our community. Jimmy would like all donations to go to the Velarde house at 622 Franklin here in Santa Fe 87505.

The Rivera Funeral Home will be providing services August 19th at 1 pm.