Obituary of Paul Lawrence Montgomery

Paul Lawrence Montgomery, son of the late James and Bertha Lee Patterson Montgomery was born January 17, 1940 in Seymour, Texas. He peacefully transitioned from this life on October 31, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones in Clinton, Maryland.  

Paul’s family migrated first to Las Cruces, New Mexico, and then to Oxnard, California in the Fall of ‘44, where he attended Oxnard High School.  After graduation, Paul enlisted in the United States Air Force, and spent most of his tour stationed in Turkey.  Upon honorable discharge, Paul married his high school sweetheart Myrlene Varner and attended Santa Monica College, then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English.  He relocated to Altadena, California to start a family.  Paul retired as a Psychiatric Technician at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute after a 35-year tenure and then dedicated his time as a youth therapist for the treatment of eating disorders at Oceanaire Treatment Facility.

While raising his children, Paul was a pillar of the community, dedicating his time as a tutor, mentor, and coach of multiple youth sports.  In the later years, he and a group of friends organized a grassroots homeless support group, spending every Saturday at Venice Beach, California feeding the homeless, and providing mentoring services. Paul’s favorite pastimes were traveling, reading, writing, music and art appreciation, and most importantly, spending time with family.  

Paul leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Myrlene Varner Montgomery of Santa Barbara, CA, sisters, Jimmie Dove Montgomery Mobley (Peter Mobley) of Vallejo, CA and Vernell Montgomery Davis (Paul Davis) of Oxnard, CA, brother, Donald Montgomery (LaRita Montgomery) of Oxnard, CA, brother-in-law David Varner of Los Angeles, CA; children, Seredi Montgomery Dixon (Lee Dixon) of Mechanicsville, MD, Akele Montgomery (Brandi Montgomery) of Clinton, MD; grandchildren, Adonis Dixon, Maia Dixon, Bailey Montgomery, and Ayden Montgomery, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and unofficially adopted nephew, Jeffrey Broadway.  Preceding him in death are three sisters, Johnnie Smith, Bobbie Lewis, Vivian Nickens; and one brother, Charles Montgomery.

Due to the current health crisis, final internment services will be postponed until Paul can be returned to California, where his heart was and will always remain.