Gerry Montgomery
President, Funeral Director
Family
Married Dian Gassino, March 17, 1997
Education
Gerry “Gary” Montgomery has been in funeral service since 1976, starting right out of high school. He attended the University of Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo) and graduated with honors from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science.
1975 graduate of South High School; attended pre-mortuary science classes at the former University of Southern Colorado, now Colorado State University-Pueblo; graduated with honors from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1979.
Community Involvement
·        Former chairman of the board and emeritus member of Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care.
·        Former board member Colorado State University-Pueblo Foundation and KTSC Advisory board. Former board member and bulletin editor of the Pueblo Charter Lions Club.
·        Member of CSU-Pueblo President’s Club, Pueblo Charter Lions Club, Southern Colorado Community Foundation, Pueblo Downtown Association, Pueblo Greater Chamber of Commerce, premier member of Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, Pueblo County Historical Society, Bessemer Historical Society, Pueblo German Club, National Funeral Directors Association, Rosemount Museum, Pueblo’s exclusive member in both the Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the International Order of the Golden Rule.
Supporter
·        Established the Grief Support Library at Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care
·        Provides funding for Pueblo Choral Society, Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, Buell Children’s Museum, Pueblo Municipal Band, Pueblo Zoological Society, Broadway Theatre League, Rosemount Museum and Center Stage.
·        Gerry & Dian have been actively involved with the Vineland United Methodist Food Booth at the Colorado State Fair since 2015. To honor those who serve and protect our country and uphold law and order in our community, Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors provides active military and first responders free meals at the Vineland United Methodist Food Booth.
·        Many other community organizations and events over the years.
Awards and achievements –
1999 – Exemplary Service Award from Order of Golden Rule
1999 – 2000 Lion of the year
2000 – Anne Sullivan Award and Melvin Jones Fellow Award (For dedicated humanitarian services)
2001 – Outstanding American Achievement award in 2001 from USC for exceptional service to and support of higher education
2003-2004 – Lion of the year award
2004 – From Keep Pueblo Beautiful, the Ingrid Ahlberg Good Citizens Award
In 2006, from the Pueblo Downtown Association, Shining Star Award
In 2006, Montgomery & Steward was awarded the Pueblo Chieftain Readers’ Choice Award
In 2007, Chieftain Critics Choice “Angel of the Year”award
2007 – 2008 International Presidents Certificate of Appreciation from Lions Club
In 2008, Excellence in Family Service Award from Order of Golden Rule
In 2012, Montgomery & Steward was awarded The National Philanthropic Outstanding Small Business Award
In 2015, inducted into the South High School Hall of Fame
In 2016, inducted into the Pueblo Hall of Fame
In 2018, The Downtowner Award from the Pueblo Downtown Association
Dian Montgomery
Vice President/ Funeral Director
Family
Married Gerry J. Montgomery on March 17, 1997
EducationÂ
1975 gold cord graduate of Pueblo Central High School; BSBA degree in accounting from University of Southern Colorado, now Colorado State University-Pueblo.
Community Involvement
·       As a life-member of Assistance League Pueblo in 1998-1999 & 2004-2005 Holiday Fashion Preview Program Chairperson. 2002-2005 Public Relations Chair
·       Currently on the Rosemount Museum Board and the Broadway Theatre League Board
·        Member of Southern Colorado Community Foundation, the Pueblo Charter Lions’ Club of Pueblo, CSU-Pueblo’s President’s Club, Southern Colorado Community Foundation, Business Chairman’s Circle member of Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, PEO-Chapter GO, Pueblo Downtown Association, Pueblo Greater Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Bessemer Historical Society, Pueblo German Club, National Funeral Directors Association, Pueblo’s exclusive member in both the Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the International Order of the Golden Rule.
·       Served on the David & Lucile Packard Foundation’s Pueblo Advisory Committee
·       Former board member of Pueblo Symphony Association and secretary from 2001-2002
Supporter
·        Established the Grief Support Library at Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care
·        Provides funding for Pueblo Choral Society, Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, Buell Children’s Museum, Pueblo Municipal Band, Pueblo Zoological Society, Broadway Theatre League, Rosemount Museum and Center Stage.
·        Gerry & Dian have been actively involved with the Vineland United Methodist Food Booth at the Colorado State Fair since 2015. To honor those who serve and protect our country and uphold law and order in our community, Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors provides active military and first responders free meals at the Vineland United Methodist Food Booth.
·        Many other community organizations and events over the years.
Awards
·        1999- International Order of the Golden Rule Exemplary Service AwardÂ
·        2003-04 – Pueblo Charter Lions Club – Lion of the Year
·        2004- Keep Pueblo Beautiful-Ingrid Ahlberg Good Citizenship Award
·       2006- Shining Star Award from Pueblo Downtown Association
·        2006 – Montgomery & Steward was awarded Pueblo Chieftain’s Readers Choice Award
·       2007-Awarded Pueblo Chieftain’s Critics Choice “Angel of the Year”
·       2007 – Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedication humanitarian services
In 2008, Excellence in Family Service Award from Order of Golden Rule
In 2012, Montgomery & Steward was awarded The National Philanthropic Outstanding Small Business Award
In 2016, inducted into the Pueblo Hall of Fame
In 2018, The Downtowner Award from the Pueblo Downtown Association
Justin Lateer
Funeral Director
Andrew Behan
Pre Need Specialist
Scott Behan
Pre Need Specialist
Rachel Vigil
Administrative Assistant
Rev. Dr. Rick Calhoun
Pastoral Care, Pre Need Specialist
Marvin Steward
Retired In June of 2019
Education
1962 graduate of Central High School; attended Pueblo Junior College; 1969 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science
Community Involvements
- Former Board member of the Pueblo Suicide Prevention Center
- Member of several of the Masonic organizations and Past Master of South Pueblo Lodge #31, A.F. & A.M. in 1976. He later served the Grand Lodge of Colorado as District Lecturer for 3 years and was honored to be elected to several offices in the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Colorado for 5 years.
- Member of the National Funeral Directors Association; Pueblo’s exclusive member in both the Selected Independent Funeral Homes and the International Order of the Golden Rule.
Supporter
- Established and maintained the Grief Support Library at Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care and is a sponsor of its Children’s Clouds to Rainbows and Teens’ Bereavement Groups and the annual benefit golf tournament for past 18 years.
- Sponsored educational programming and annual fund-raising auction for KTSC-TV PBS station.
- Provides funding for Pueblo Choral Society, Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, Buell Children’s Museum, Pueblo Municipal Band, Pueblo Zoological Society, Optimist Club of Pueblo, Broadway Theatre League and Center Stage.
- Many other community organizations and events.
Awards
- 2007-Awarded Pueblo Chieftain’s Critics Choice “Angel of the Year”
- 2006- Shining Star Award from Pueblo Downtown Association
- 2006 – Pueblo Chieftain’s Readers Choice Award
- 2004- Keep Pueblo Beautiful-Ingrid Ahlberg Good Citizenship Award
