Bruce Hardison Montgomery Jr.

Montgomery, Bruce Hardison, Jr., age 86, entered the kingdom of God and his savior Jesus Christ on April 29, 2013. Preceding him in death include immediate family members: mother, Eula Gertrude Marlin Montgomery, father, Bruce Hardison Montgomery, Sr., brother William Marlin Montgomery and premature son, Bruce Hardison Montgomery III. He is survived by sister, June Montgomery Layne, of Columbia, Tennessee and sister-in-law Francis Finley Shortt of Benton, Kentucky. Bruce, Jr., as he was called by his parents and siblings, was married for 48 years to Dorothy Jean Finley Montgomery who departed this world in 1997. He is survived by his three sons, Kenneth Hardison, 62, William Robert, 61, and Barry Bruce, 57. Bruce was a veteran of World War II, and served in the US Army. He attended Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee where he studied religion. While in McKenzie, he met Dorothy, a basketball player for McKenzie High School, and they married in June of 1948. Bruce’s career began with Monsanto Chemical Company in Columbia, Tennessee, which was followed by a 10 plus year ownership of Columbia’s South Main Pure Oil service station. Upon selling his service station, he became a foreman for Columbia Slag and Rock Company for two and one half years. Bruce moved his family to Knoxville in 1962, and joined Hewgley’s Music Shop where he held a number of positions, including sales and store management. He resigned with Hewgley’s in 1972, and he and his wife Dorothy founded Montgomery’s Gulf service station at the corner of Main and Henley streets in Knoxville. He and his wife managed their business for almost thirty years subsequently selling to British Petroleum in the mid-1990s. He then, along with Dorothy and his youngest son, Barry, bought Chapman Enterprises located on Chapman Highway. Barry and his wife, Claudia, continue to own and manage the business. Bruce met and married the former Jeanelle Reed. They enjoyed fourteen years of marriage. Bruce is survived by Jeanelle and her children and Bruce’s stepchildren: Melva, Teresa, and Aaron. Bruce was very devoted to his family and loved his sons, daughters-in-law, step-children, and the many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ken and his wife Kathy have three daughters: Sara and her husband Troy Guinn-Bailey and their son Conor; and daughters Katie and Beth. Bob and wife Laura have two daughters and a son: Rebecca and husband Stephen Reeves who have two children, son Tyler and daughter Caitlin; Luke and his wife Stephanie who have two sons, Austin and Brayden; Rachel and husband Kyle Waters. Barry and his wife Claudia have three children; Adam and his wife Dakota; Scott and his wife Katie; and daughter Sally. Bruce’s stepchildren with Jeanelle Reed include: Melva Reed Dunan and husband Dan who have two daughters: Nicole Cantu and husband Jeramiah, and Kristen Yanderlaar and husband Walter; Teresa Reed Busick; and son Reverend Aaron Reed and wife Bambi who have two sons, Chase and Ethan, and daughter Darcy. Bruce is survived by 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grand-children. Bruce lived a life of grace and left the world a better place for being part of it. We will miss him greatly but know that the joy he gave us will be forever in our hearts. Services will be coordinated by Berry Funeral Home and family and friends will be received from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, May 2 at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. Services will begin immediately following at 7 pm. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetary at 10:00 am Friday, May 3. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to the Pat Head Summit Foundation. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com