Harry George Montgomery

Cosmic cowboy, troubadour, golfer, and lover of learning and higher education, Harry George Montgomery died in his home in Port Neches in the company of loved ones on May 2, 2014. He was a hippie and a bureaucrat; the good kind of both. He loved telling the truth, especially as he saw it. He did not suffer fools, and made many friends for life. He never met a stranger. He was born to Dr. James Caleb Montgomery and Betty Jean (Coppenger) on December 18, 1949 and grew up in Port Neches where he was a valedictorian. He studied at The University of Texas at Austin, among other places, and received a degree from Lamar University. "The Hare" loved singing sad songs, eating great food, and he loved his family. He loved his many friends. He loved his 1968 Martin D-35 and sang songs with it in clubs in Austin and all over. His booming tenor is already missed. Harry quit more good jobs than most people will ever have but worked as hard as he played. He had many jobs before finding his calling in higher education administration. Harry worked at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Legislative Budget Board, Lamar University, and had his own consultancy. His accomplishments include developing the model for distributing state funds to public colleges and universities, being the force behind the Sesquicentennial Scholarship Fund, and throwing a party at the capitol for the State of Texas' 150th birthday. He believed college should be affordable. His son Cale lives in Austin, and his sister Jan Hankamer lives in Nederland. Jan's children, Elizabeth Campbell and Mason Hankamer, live in Beaumont and Austin, respectively. A memorial service will be held Saturday May 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches. Dr. Phillip Sigman will officiate. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Lamar University Foundation Scholarship Fund in his name.