Paul Medford Montgomery passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior on January 10, 2026, at 87 years old. He was born October 22, 1938, to parents Claude and Vida Montgomery at their family farmhouse in West Plains, Missouri, where he grew up with siblings Betty, Clifford, David, and Patty.
He met and then married his late wife, Anita, at Victoria Mission Church on October 24, 1959, and they had 40 beautiful years of marriage together. Following in the legacy of his father, Paul was called to ministry and became an ordained pastor and evangelist under the Church of God and Assemblies of God denominations. He and Anita traveled together, singing and preaching at revivals across the country, and pastored local churches in Kentucky, Arizona, and Missouri. With their two children, Paula and Shaun, they had a gospel group called the Singing Montgomerys who ministered at churches and revivals.
When he retired from full-time ministry, Paul opened Cactus Boot Repair, having trained at the West Plains shoe factory in his earlier years. He specialized in leatherwork, including boots, saddles, and purses. While in Tucson, Arizona, he even made a pair of knee-high boots that were worn in The Gambler: The Adventure Continues (starring Kenny Rogers), which was filmed in Old Tucson.
Paul was an army veteran and, in his later years, served in the West Plains Honor Guard.
In June 2000, he married his wife, Thelma, adding adult children and grandchildren to his family. Together, Paul and Thelma enjoyed traveling to Branson and running their business, Montgomery DJ Services, providing music for local weddings, parties, and Elvis impersonator shows. They had over 25 sweet years of adventures and travels together.
Paul never met a stranger and loved talking to people. His phone was always ringing with friends and customers alike, and he’d answer, “Yello!” If he wasn’t fixing boots at his in-home shop or serving at church, he was probably having a sundae at Dairy Queen.
He attended Victoria Mission Church, where he was the associate pastor and played drums for worship (always wearing a western shirt and cowboy boots, of course!). In all, Paul served over 56 years in ministry. He loved the Lord with all his heart and served Him his whole life.
He is survived by his wife (Thelma Willard Montgomery), his children (Paula Tellefsen and Shaun Montgomery), his brother (David Montgomery), his grandchildren (Shea French and Paul Tellefsen), his extended Willard family (son Eugene Willard and grandchildren Blake Willard, Kyle Willard, and Timber Adams), and many beloved great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 10:00am, Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri.
Visitation will be 6-7pm, Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Elk Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
