The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Montgomery

Jim Montgomery, former sports editor and outdoor editor for the Enquirer, died of a heart attack Thursday at his home on Lake Whitney, Texas. He was 73.

Born in Henryetta, Okla., Mr. Montgomery was raised on a farm in Wichita Falls, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas with a journalism degree in 1957, writing a column for the student paper there, and for 12 years was a reporter and sports columnist for newspapers in Houston and Waco, Texas.

In 1969, he became sports editor of the Colorado Springs, Colo, Free Press, then joined the Enquirer in April 1970, as a sports copy editor, becoming assistant sports editor later that year and sports editor in 1976.

He served in that position for several years, heading a staff that included such notable Cincinnati sportswriters and columnists as Tom Callahan, Mark Purdy, Tim Sullivan, Lonnie Wheeler, Dick Forbes, Bill Ford, Bob Hertzel, Ray Buck, Cindy Morris Starr and Terry Moore.

Before his retirement from the paper in 1992, Mr. Montgomery also wrote outdoor columns, took on special assignments such as world championship fights, worked on the copy desk and backed up Enquirer writers on other beats, particularly college and pro football, two of his favorite sports. He was a graceful writer and knowledgeable about all sports.

"Jim was one of the most versatile newsmen I've ever known - equally comfortable writing about oil and the Civil War as he was covering a heavyweight championship fight,'' said Jim Schottelkotte, former Enquirer managing editor who recruited Montgomery to Cincinnati.

Following his retirement, Mr. Montgomery returned to the family home on Lake Whitney, worked part time for the Austin American-Statesman and the Waco Tribune-Herald and freelanced articles for the hometown Clifton Record.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Melissa Butler, of Tolar, Texas, and Beth Anne Meinkowsky, of Lake Whitney; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Lady of the Lake Episcopal Church in Laguna Park, Texas.

The family is establishing the Jim Montgomery Memorial Scholarship Fund at Clifton High School for a journalism student. Friends may contribute through the family home address of 402 County Road, 1745 Clifton, Texas 76634.