header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memory

Wendell Montague - Class of 1952

Wendell G Montague was born January 8, 1933 in Montpelier, Idaho, the second son of Louis Claude Montague and Bertha Miriam Montague.

Dad had the responsibility at an early age to watch over his older brother LeGrande, who suffered a head injury at 2 years of age.

Growing up in Montpelier, Idaho Wendell held down a paper route and was a stocker in a department store. In high school he found work raking hay and delivering wheat to storage silos.

In high school Wendell played on the football and basketball teams. He enjoyed singing and theater and did the artwork for his high school yearbook.

Upon high school graduation in 1952 he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed on a destroyer in the Pacific during the Korean War.

He married Lannice Papworth in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 9, 1953. Together they would have 8 children.

After completing his 4 year enlistment with the US Navy he attended Utah State University where he earned both his Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts in 4 years.

Wendell moved to San Diego, California in 1960. He taught art and typing, and was a JV boys basketball coach at Point Loma High School until transferring to Patrick Henry High School in 1968 where he continued to teach Art, and occasionally, PE. He was also their golf coach until he retired.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wendell served in the church as a stake missionary, cub scout leader, gospel teacher, basketball coach, bishopric member, and high councilor.

A lover of the arts, he was involved in several plays and sang in a barbershop quartet throughout the area. He was one of the founding members of the San Diego Watercolor Society in which he served as president. He also served as president of the San Diego Art Institute. A teacher for 35 years, he retired in 1994.

In retirement, Wendell continued to paint, play golf, fly fish, and hone his carpentry skills.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 16, 2020.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Norma and LeGrande, and his son Eddie Dale.

Wendell G Montague is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lannice; 7 children, Glenn, Harold, Keith, Eric, Brett, Julie and Spencer; 18 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren