Here’s a look at what people in East Mississippi said as they learned former U.S. Rep. G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery had died early Friday morning at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian.
“Sonny was a remarkable leader. He told me that he thought his most important leadership trait was perseverance. And it was a joy to be able to spend time with him and actually watch him accomplish many things by coupling that trait of perseverance with a huge heart and special ability to make friends. There’s just not many made like Sonny Montgomery. We’re going to miss him.”
Bill Crawford, deputy director of the
Mississippi Development Authority and founding president of The
Montgomery Institute
“It’s been an honor to work with and for a man of Congressman Montgomery’s stature. He’s an American icon and just to have the opportunity to work for him — to help work regional, state and national issues on the economic front, education initiative, quality of life efforts, plus veteran initiative, it was just an honor to serve him.
“I really enjoyed working with Sonny. The most memorable thing I’ll remember about him is that Sonny’s hobby was, he loves people. He loved being with people and he loved being with all people. I enjoyed his stories as we worked in the office. Other than his love of people, one thing that stands out about him is that he was always focused on what was right. And he was always asking what could he do to help make our area much better. And he never asked for anything in return.
“Clearly, we’ve lost a national treasure with the passing of Sonny. But we know that his work will be carried on for many decades to come in working to improve the life of our people and strengthening America.
“He was very proud of the Presidential Medal of Freedom he received. You should have seen the glow on his face when he was sharing with people. When he won the Medal of Freedom, he wanted to know how he could share what he received with everybody else. With that Presidential Medal of Freedom, we in The Montgomery Institute developed the Montgomery Medal of Merit, which is presented to those who live the spirit of Sonny Montgomery, in terms of working to make all of our tomorrows better for everyone. We’ve been very selective in awarding this medal.”
Mike McGrevey,
president of
The Montgomery Institute
“It was truly a pleasure working with Congressman Montgomery. I believe the loss of Congressman Montgomery is a loss of a friend to all. I’ve traveled a few times with him and it always made me proud to see people come up to him and recognize him as their congressman. Even though he was our congressman from Mississippi, people would come up to him from other places, other states, and recognize him. He was the people’s congressman.
“I am so glad that Congressman Montgomery was able to receive so many accolades while he was still here, so he could see just how much people appreciated his good work.”
C.D. Smith, chairman
of the board of directors for The Montgomery Institute
“I regret his passing. He was a true gentleman and he will be greatly missed.”
Karen Dean, owner of The Landing Restaurant, where Montgomery often ate
“Congressman Montgomery’s passing is a tremendous loss for all of us — not only for the area, but also our state and our country. All the accomplishments and the many things he’s done, he’s been, I think, one of the greatest leaders this nation has seen in awhile.
“And he will go down in history as such, not only for the work he’s done in the military — of which there are so many examples, but he’s done it for everybody, the working man, the business, the manufacturing. Every facet of our life, Sonny has been a part of, trying to make it better.
“He was a great resource for me. He was easy to talk to, I could talk to him and tell him some of the things going on in my life as far as the legislative work I do. He would give suggestions and was always very thoughtful about what he was telling me, as far as trying to help all the areas that I wanted to do myself. He’s one of those bigger-than-life kind of people that you look up to and try to emulate.”
State Sen. Videt Carmichael, R-Meridian
“It was sad to hear about Congressman Montgomery’s passing. From a personal level, the thing I’ll always remember about Sonny is that he always, regardless of where I would greet him — a restaurant or various functions — he would invariably say to me, ‘How’s my representative?’ That was always special to me because he’d been East Mississippi’s representative for so many years. That always made me feel good.
“On a political level and community level, his passing is a huge loss for us. Although he hasn’t served us in Congress in 10 years, his legacy is so big. He’s always going to be remembered as long as there are people living in East Mississippi. We’re going to miss him ... already miss him.”
State Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian
“Sonny’s been a good friend all through the years, when he was in the (Mississippi Legislature) and in Washington. He’s been extremely helpful to me in the base closure rounds. He was very important in the ‘91, ‘93 and ‘95 rounds, when NAS was on the list.
“He was always there, knew everybody in Washington, knew everybody in the defense department, knew everybody on the base closure commissions and could advise us on what to do. I think he was primarily responsible for getting NAS off the list three times. He’s also advised us during the last 10 years. He was always there when you need him.
“But more importantly, he was just a good friend. He always wanted to help Meridian and Mississippi, and you always knew he’d be there when you needed him.”
Lamar McDonald, head of Mississippi Military Communities Council/former chairman of the Meridian Military Team during the BRAC process
“Sonny Montgomery was our congressman, but he was my friend. He made everyone feel that you were his friend. It was a special gift he had. Everybody felt they were important to Sonny. He remembered everyone and greeted you warmly, either with a handshake or a hug.
“I’d known him for many years, but it was when I worked at the Chamber of Commerce that I got to know him even more. I worked with Sonny on the base closures and on various other projects and it was a real honor for me. I will miss him greatly.”
Ann Weddington,
marketing director of Jeff Anderson Regional
Medical Center and friend
