Oak Park native Craig Wilson Montgomery died recently at his home near Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 63. The son of the late Clark and Joann Montgomery, longtime Oak Park residents, he was born on Aug. 26, 1960, at West Suburban Hospital.
Growing up, he was a track and cross-country athlete at Oak Park and River Forest High School which took first in state in 1977, under the leadership of legendary track and cross-country coach Roy Gummerson. Craig was also in choir and an outstanding scholar. He graduated from Grinnell College in Newton, Iowa, and went on to earn a master’s degree and a PhD in chemistry from Iowa State University. Throughout his life, he was a conservationist and loved the outdoors.
In his early 20s, he began developing mental illness, a condition he dealt with for the rest of his life. His family is grateful for the many caring individuals he met along his way, including neighbors and strangers and especially members of the Oak Park Police Department, for their compassionate support.
Family friend and former Oak Parker Jane Caldwell remembered Craig as a “sweet person with so much potential. He is now at peace.”
He leaves behind a brother, Bruce (Xu); a sister, Susan Montgomery (Howie Anderson); a nephew, Eric Montgomery; his aunt, Peggy Bruce; and many cousins.
Craig’s family will miss him deeply, yet rejoices in the kindness, compassion, humanity, and wry humor that he shared with us throughout his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huskie Booster Club of Oak Park and River Forest High School, at www.huskieboosterclub.org.
A private funeral service will be held in Santa Fe.
A memorial service will be held this spring in Oak Park.