Penny Montgomery
Penny Montgomery was spirited away by her Heavenly Father at age 96 on May 21, 2025. She was born on December 7, 1928, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Arthur and Annallee Pennington, in the home of her grandfather, Norman Hobgood. Known by her middle name, Camille, throughout her early life, she became “Penny Pennington” when she left for college—and from that point on, she began making her mark on the world.
Growing up in various towns across Arkansas and Texas, Penny graduated from high school in Benton, Arkansas. Gifted with a brilliant mind and a quick wit, she skipped several grades and began college at Henderson State in Arkadelphia at just 16. After two successful years, she transferred to Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, where she earned a double major in Education and Physical Education.
While at TCU, Penny was named a “TCU Beauty.” Ever humble, she laughed about it, saying, “People just thought I was really friendly because I smiled all the time. I didn’t know I needed glasses—and they didn’t know I just couldn’t tell who they were!”
At TCU, Penny met and fell in love with George Wilde, a Washington Redskins running back who attended the university during the off-season. They married in 1950 and returned to Arkansas, where she began her teaching career and he began work with Alcoa Aluminum. Three daughters followed in quick succession, and their life was filled with family, friends, fun, and adventure.
George’s work eventually took the family to Pennsylvania and later to Marshall, Texas. There, Penny taught upper-level math with her trademark zeal and hands-on approach. Many former students credit her with inspiring a love for mathematics—or at least the persistence to succeed. Her firm yet encouraging style was captured in her oft-repeated mantra: “Mathematics is NOT a spectator sport!”—clapping her hands with each syllable for emphasis.
Penny’s deep faith in Jesus Christ sustained her through unimaginable loss, including the deaths of her beloved daughter Paula and her husband George in 1975. Despite heartbreak, she pressed on—anchored by faith and strengthened by perseverance.
Ever the teacher and adventurer, Penny enrolled in aviation ground school to show her students the real-world application of higher math. At the age of 48, she passed the written exam before ever setting foot in a cockpit, then soon began flying. She eventually earned her instrument rating, bought a Cessna 172, and launched a lifetime of airborne adventure.
Never one to do things halfway, she also became certified in scuba diving alongside daughters Connie and Melody, exploring the waters of Honduras, Belize, the Caribbean, and beyond.
In 1978, George’s brother introduced Penny to J.B. “Jim” Montgomery. That introduction led to a courtship and an elopement in April 1979. They settled in Midland, Texas, where Penny often flew Jim to appointments in his role as Exxon’s regional director. Jim’s love for English setters became hers as well, and Penny embraced the joys of bird hunting, dog training, and sipping Chivas on the back patio at sundown.
When Jim retired, they moved to his dream spot in Moran, Texas, and built a home on the family ranch. It quickly became a cherished gathering place—filled with laughter, family, friends, and shared stories. Inspired by Jim, a new chapter began, and Penny wholeheartedly embraced the Shoot to Retrieve (NSTRA) world. Under her devoted guidance, her English Setter, Will, earned Derby Dog of the Year. Her next champion, Blu, went on to win Dog of the Year, and Penny was proudly inducted into the NSTRA Hall of Fame. At the age of 92, the Penny Montgomery Invitational field trial was held in her honor.
Aviation remained her passion. Flying across the country—often with an English setter as co-pilot—she eventually joined a group of private pilots, launching a new level of adventure. In her Cessna 180, she visited Alaska, the Caribbean, and countless U.S. states. Later, with her aviation companions, she leased planes and flew across Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Dubbed “The Flying Den Mother,” she built lifelong friendships in the skies.
Penny was a perpetual learner, fearless leader, and woman of deep, abiding faith. She often gave out copies of Jesus Calling, using its words and her life as testimonies of grace, hope, and resilience. She mentored many with her joyful spirit, unwavering encouragement, and indomitable strength.
She adored her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and a constantly growing circle of dear friends. She found joy in unexpected places and spread it freely. Her signature smile, her familiar “Yoo hoo!” when arriving at a doorstep, and the way she offered encouragement with a cheerful “All right!” or a loving “Love you more!” will be remembered and deeply missed.
With Penny, life’s most lasting lessons weren’t always taught in classrooms or cockpits—they were shared over rare steaks, glasses of red wine, and always, always with something chocolate. In those moments, as in all others, she had a way of making people feel truly seen, valued, and loved.
Penny lived fully, beautifully, generously, and faithfully. Her final wish was simple but profound: “That everyone will be happy and know Jesus personally.” Her legacy is not just a ripple—it is a tsunami of love, faith, and adventure that continues to reach far beyond her years.
She cherished the words of her grandfather’s life verse:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
Penny is survived by her sister Patti and Buddy Leman and their children Heather and Brian Leman; daughter Connie Kuehl and her children Shawn and Adria Bowman and Chad Bowman; daughter Melody and husband Chuck Giammalva and their children Courtney and Rett Williams, Carly and Ellis Basham, and Cameron Giammalva; as well as Ross and Martha Montgomery and their children Amy and Chuck Harthausen and Ryan and Paige Montgomery; Jim and Nancy Montgomery and their daughters Lacy and Maggie Montgomery; Robert and Susan Montgomery and their children Wade and Rob Montgomery. Additionally, 13 great-grandchildren carry forward her legacy of joy, wit, and bold adventure. She also leaves behind a cherished network of extended family and lifelong friends who were blessed by her charisma, wisdom, and strength.
With heartfelt gratitude, the family thanks Teresita Rosales, whose devoted visits brought care, warmth, and true companionship to Penny’s final years. To Penny, she was family.
A celebration of life will be held on June 16th at 3:00 p.m. at The Wild Wings Ranch in Moran, TX, to commemorate her incredible life. Bright colors and boots are encouraged.
