Dennis A Montgomery

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Dennis Alan Montgomery, age 79, of Roosevelt, passed away on January 24, 2025, at the Utah Valley Hospital due to complications following a heart attack.

 He was born November 20, 1945, in Vernal, Utah, to John Russell and Edith LaVerne Anderson Montgomery. He married Julie Bethers on September 10, 1971, and they welcomed four children: Tiffany, Scott, Brian, and Jenny. They later divorced. He married Loreen Malnar LaRose on March 6, 1998. 

 Dennis was the eighth of nine children and the youngest son. His father referred to him affectionately as Pan Handle Pete. He spent his childhood on the corner of 500 East and Main Street in Vernal, Utah, where he helped with the family fur trading and trapping business. Many of his days were spent raising pigeons, playing with his dogs, running around the scrap yard, and teasing his mother and sisters. He spent countless hours with his dad, learning everything he could about hunting and fishing. He excelled in wrestling during high school, and his team won the 1964 state wrestling championship. 

 He graduated from Uintah High School and attended Utah State University on a wrestling scholarship. After he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Science, he was drafted into the United States Army. He was proud to have served his country honorably in the Vietnam War. He received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 2 Overseas Bars, Expert M14, and Marksman M16. When he returned from the War, he earned his Master's Degree in Accounting. 

 While raising a family, he had many different positions and business ventures. He was pleased to return to the Uintah Basin when he was hired by the Farmers Home Administration. He was then hired by The Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he embraced the Native American culture and made many lifelong friends. 

 Dennis received a promotion in 1999, which took him to Washington, DC, where he worked at the Department of the Interior for four years. Dennis and Loreen loved their life together. They enjoyed exploring their new surroundings and traveled up and down much of the East Coast during this time. They then moved to Denver, Colorado, for two years until he retired, after which they returned to the Uintah Basin. 

 He loved to travel with friends and family. His favorite places were Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. They also enjoyed camping, 4-wheeling, and snowmobiling. 

 Dad taught us how to ride bikes, ski, feed the dogs, start a fire, pitch a tent, cut wood, fish and bait hooks, and how to drive stick shift at the gulch. He tried relentlessly to help us with our math homework. Some of us surpassed his expectations, and the rest learned how to get a good deal on hiring someone to do our taxes. Dad loved any opportunity to teach. He taught us how to shop for cars and get the best deals. He embraced being a baseball and wrestling coach. He was a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America for many years and received the Silver Beaver award. He was also very faithful in attending dance competitions, cheerleading events, and beauty pageants. He was a hard worker and instilled a good work ethic in all of us. He held many church callings and was a devoted husband and father.

 Dennis loved and cherished his wife, Loreen. He knew he had found the catch of his life when, from the beginning, she waited on him hand and foot, laughed at all his jokes, and endured his teasing. They traveled to many places and enjoyed their life together. 

 Dennis is survived by his wife of 27 years, Loreen, of Roosevelt; children, Tiffany Paulsen (Stephen Castorino), Las Vegas; Scott Montgomery, Whiterocks; Brian (Courtnie) Montgomery, Riverton; Jennifer Montgomery, Sandy; step-children, Dustin (Paula) LaRose Altamont, Danielle LaRose, Vernal; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, brother Jack Montgomery, sister Judy Kraft, both of Vernal, sister-in-law Jody Montgomery, Ogden; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Marilyn Chiles, Janice Weeks, Tom Montgomery, Jim Montgomery, Marjorie Shea, Terry Montgomery; grandson, Jens Larose; and daughter-in-law Sherri Montgomery.

 Funeral services will be held on January 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Event Center in Roosevelt. There will be a viewing on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary and from 10-10:45 a.m. Thursday at the event center. 

 Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park with military honors presented by the American Legion, Patriot Honor Guard, and the Utah Army Honor Guard.