Wilbur "Monk" Montgomery

Wilbur "Monk" Montgomery was born Dec. 3, 1920, in Kooskia, to Owen and Estelle Montgomery. He graduated from Kooskia High School in 1939, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He attended Lewiston State Normal School in Lewiston from 1939 to 1942, where he excelled academically and continued his passion with sports. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball. In 1942, he earned his diploma of graduation.

While in college he met Joyce Walters of Clarkston; they were married Feb. 6, 1942. They moved to Biloxi, Miss., then Sherman, Texas, where Monk served in the U.S. Army Air Forces. In September 1946, they returned to Lewiston. Monk enrolled in Northern Idaho College of Education and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1947. He lettered in basketball and baseball during this phase of his education and received several college honors, including Phi Beta Sigma and I Club, and served as senior class president. Monk accepted a teaching, coaching and athletic director position in Orofino. They moved to Orofino, where they raised their family of four children, Craig, Greg, Laurie and Robin in their beloved Orofino community. Monk continued his education and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1954 with a master of science in education. Monk and Joyce were married for 52 years.

Monk enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in July 1942. He graduated from noncommissioned officers school at Miami Beach, Fla., in 1942, with the rank of staff sergeant. He graduated from officer candidate school at Miami Beach in 1944 with the rank of second lieutenant and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1945. Monk played basketball and baseball on Army post teams and also coached basketball and baseball teams while in the service. His main duty was as an instructor. He was relieved from active duty Sept. 25, 1946, and was assigned to U.S. Army Air Forces Reserves. He was promoted from first lieutenant to captain on Jan. 1, 1956. He retired from the reserves in 1957.

Monk continued teaching at Orofino High School, where he coached football, basketball and baseball, and was the athletic director. He was Orofino Junior High principal, athletic director and high school teacher for five years, from 1964 to 1969. He became OHS vice principal, athletic director and first aid/health teacher in the new high school from 1969 until his retirement in 1987, completing a 40-year career in education.

Monk led an exciting and passionate life as an athlete and coach, excelling in both areas. In 1948, Monk played semi-pro baseball for the Lewiston Jaycees team against semi-pro teams such as House of Davids, Atlanta Crackers, Walla Walla Bears, Kansas City Monarchs and Richland Bombers. He also played for the Orofino semi-pro baseball team in the Lewis-Clark League.

Also in 1948, he coached the American Legion junior baseball team of Lewiston. They defeated Pocatello for the state championship. They lost to Yakima 2-1 in the regional tournament.

In 1949, Orofino won the high school District II Class B basketball championship at Lewiston and defeated Aberdeen, Idaho, at Kimberly, Idaho, for the state championship. In 1950, Orofino lost to Genesee in the District II basketball game but came back and won the state basketball game at Lewiston. Additionally, in 1950, Orofino defeated Class A Central Valley of Spokane, and Class A Lewiston and Moscow.

Monk competed in Idaho High School Athletes Association All-Stars basketball game in Boise as a coach in 1950. He also competed in the IHSAA All-Stars football game for seniors at Boise as one of the football coaches in 1951. Both football and basketball games were designated as West and East teams, with northward Boise as West and southward Boise as East.

Through his association and membership in the Idaho High School Athletic Association, Monk was president several times in the District II Interscholastic Board of Control. In 1985, he received the Hall of Fame IHSAA Distinguished Service Award for District II.

On March 7, 2015, Orofino High School's 1950 basketball team coached by Monk was awarded the "Legends of the Game" boys basketball award that showcases great teams and preserves the heritage of the sport. It was a great honor to receive in the twilight of his life. It was an adventure to share with the remaining team, family representatives and friends.

He was a member of the following organizations: Orofino Golf Course, National and Idaho education associations, Methodist Church, Orofino Dance Club, Lewiston Gun Club, and Orofino Celebrations Inc. for 68 years.

Monk was an instructor for the American Red Cross for 43 years and started the first first aid classes in Clearwater County in the late 1940s. He continued until 1990, certifying 3,365 advanced certificates and 2,770 standard certificates. Classes taught were advanced and emergency care, standard, standard refresher and multimedia Standard. Advanced and standard cards were mainly issued to Orofino High seniors and juniors and some nurses. Standard cards were issued to workers in Clearwater, Nez Perce, Lewis and Idaho counties. Workers included those from Dworshak Dam, the U.S. Forest Service, nurses, outfitters and guides, Potlatch foremen, the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, city of Orofino, Peter Kewit, Dravo, Murphy Bros., dam workers, loggers, skiers, sheriff's posse members and snowmobilers.

Monk enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, dancing and being a part of Orofino Celebrations Inc. He was an official timer for 68 years, beginning with the first Lumberjack Days.

In 1998, he met Patty Lyons of Peck, who became his longtime companion. They enjoyed traveling, dancing, hunting, fishing and four-wheeling, which kept them both young.

Monk was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce, in September 1994; six brothers, Royce Montgomery of Kamiah, Elmer of Lewiston, Floyd of Portland, Ore., Lester of Sandy, Ore., Everett of Clarkston and Robert of Kooskia; three sisters, Ida Blair of Lewiston, Thelma Montgomery of Kooskia and Edna Jordal of The Dalles, Ore.; and son Gregory Montgomery of Spokane in 2011.

He is survived by Craig Montgomery of Spokane, Laurie Montgomery of Orofino and Robin Vande Voorde (Mark) of Brush Prairie, Wash.; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lana Montgomery, Hoi Montgomery (Gregory, Paige) Matthew Montgomery and Cassandra (Mattie) Andy Montgomery, Heather Morford and Travis (Peyton), Leslie Montgomery, Holly Chistensen and Rick (Jared, Andrew, Kaden), Otis Clift (Jordan), Eric Vasquez Montgomery (Kalianna), Nate Montgomery and Dani.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 at the conference center in the Best Western Plus Lodge at River's Edge in Orofino, with a reception to follow the graveside service. Memorials may be given to OJHS.