Ned V Montgomery passed away on March 1, 2020 at the age of 77. He was born in Weberville, Michigan on April 27, 1942. As a young boy in Michigan they lived on Lake Lansing where he started his first business, a worm farm. From Michigan they moved for a small time to Rattlesnake, Florida until they eventually settled to Houston, TX. When he was 14, he went to work for Monakino's Grocery store on Airline Drive where he worked while attending Sam Houston High School. Before he graduated in 1960, Star Engraving recruited him out of his shop class to be a jewelry apprentice as a die cutter. Once out of high school he continued his career at Star and became the Vice President of Production in 1981. During this time at Star, Ned was drafted in 1968 at the age of 26, into the US Army. His tour of duty was in Germany. While in the Army his strong work ethic drew attention by his superiors and he was recommended for officers training school. He loved the army and those who served but was anxious to get home and rejoin his family. He declined the recommendation and re-entered the class ring industry in April of 1970.

He married the love of his life, Margaret Ann Pratt on February 27, 1971. The uniting of two families occurred at the (world famous) Houston landmark, The Harmony Wedding Chapel, on Highway 45 South.

In 1981 during the height of a recession Ned went out on his own, and he and Margaret started the Gold Factory, a jewelry design store in the Cy Fair Community in NW Houston. His passion was creating jewelry and art which brought such joy to others. Ahead of his time in design, his pieces still draw attention when worn today. His other unique trait was storytelling. He had a story for EVERYTHING.

Ned and Margaret loved the Cy Fair area and were involved in several charities. Their favorites were the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the local High School FFA programs and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

After a successful 26 years in the jewelry business, Ned and Margaret retired and spent the next three years traveling the United States. Ned's goal was to visit all of the states and he made it to 48 of them in his 2001 Chevy Pickup Truck. His favorite drive was up to Alaska.

When their travels ended, Ned could not stop his desire to express himself through art, and gathered limbs from the trees in his backyard, treated them, and made many designs including crosses. Several of these crosses were sent on mission trips to Africa and South America where the word of God and message of hope were spread to those seeking the Lord.

He loved nothing more than spending the rest of his time with immediate and extended family including his rescued cat, Fred.

Ned is preceded in death by his parents Altamae and Vernon Montgomery, mother and father in law, Elsie and Warren Pratt, brother Thomas Fred Montgomery, and niece Connie Lee Sheppard.

He is survived by his wife Margaret Pratt Montgomery, his sister Carol and her husband Jimmy Sheppard, his sister and brother in-law Dorothy and Don Johnson; his children, Kelly and her husband Sam Ansley, Kathy and her husband Tommy Scalise, Darren and his wife Tricia McNeely, Donna and her husband Isaac Franke, and Martin and his wife, Katrin Hackman.

His grandchildren Brandon Ansley and his wife Selina, Ian Ansley, Olive Scalise, Cash Scalise, Leo Scalise, Katelyn McNeely, Davis McNeely, Gabriella Franke, Maiya Franke, Sofia Franke, Johanna Hackman and Louisa Hackman; great grandchild Layne Ansley; nieces Diana Poranski and husband Peter, Candy Sheppard, Karen Patterson and her husband Marshall, Emily Fisher and her husband Chad; nephews, Charles Montgomery and wife Sherry, Ned Montgomery and his wife Karen, Eric Johnson and his wife Nikki along with numerous great nieces and nephews who all loved their Papa and Uncle Ned.

Visitation will be held at Klein Funeral Home, (1400 West Main, Tomball 77375), on Thursday March 5th from 5-8 pm followed by the service on Friday March 6th at 2:00 pm, also at Klein Funeral Home.