Levi H. Montgomery 

June 14, 1907 - Oct. 13, 2009 Levi H. Montgomery passed away 
peacefully at the Marquis Care Friendship House on Oct. 13, 2009. He 
was a treasure and will be missed. He lived to be 102 years old. Levi 
H. Montgomery was born June 14, 1907 in Eagle, Idaho. He came from a 
family of eight siblings. His parents were William T. Montgomery and 
Olive E. Winston. His parents raised the family where the Fair Grounds 
is now located. In 1923, at the age of 16 and 85 pounds, Lee started 
training to became a horse jockey. He did his training in Canada for 
five months. In 1924, he went to New Orleans and rode in the two mile 
races. From there he went to Huntington Park, West Virginia. There he 
rode and won many races. He was in seventh heaven, at last he was a 
jockey. From there he rode at the tracks in Lexington Kentucky, Ohio, 
Albany New York, Florida, and then to California. He raced at the San 
Anita race track and the Delamar. Lee eventually had to quit racing 
and became a trainer at the San Anita track and the Delamar track in 
California. He was there for five years. Lee's heart was always with 
the horses and racing. In 1930 Levi Montgomery married Mary 
Richardson. They had three children: Ronald, Loren, and Norma. Later 
Levi and Mary separated and divorced. Levi moved back to Boise, Idaho 
in 1954. In the 1960s he married and divorced Melvina Johnston. In 
1967 he married Eltheria Montgomery. They were married for 32 years. 
Levi worked at a lot of places to earn a living after horse racing. He 
drove cattle trucks, rode horses, trained horses, shoed horses and 
worked for the Deseret Industries for 17 years before retiring. Levi 
Montgomery is survived by his daughter Norma Moore of Redding, Ca.; 
his daughter in law Verlee Montgomery of Pocatello, Id; sister Olive 
Mabee of Boise, Id; and countless nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. 
Levi had 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 15 
great-great-grandchildren. Levi is preceded in death by his wife 
Eltheria Montgomery, his parents William T. Montgomery and Olive E. 
Winston, three sisters Veryl Giambo, Ethel Demond, Pearl Titus and 
three brothers Otto Montgomery, Lloyd Montgomery and Leroy Montgomery. 
Levi Montgomery was a special person. He had many friends. His sister 
Olive Mabee frequently visited Lee along with Tonya Holton, his great 
niece. He loved those visits and the cookies that were brought. On 
behalf of Levi Montgomery and Tonya Holton, a very special thank you 
to the Marquis Friendship House staff that took the best care of Lee 
in his almost three years that he lived there. He was known at the 
Marquis as the cookie monster since he just loved cookies. Oreos were 
his favorite. At 100 yrs old the Marquis held the best birthday party 
for Levi. It was lots of fun. They also took Lee and his family to Les 
Bois Horse track for a night of dinner and racing. Lee, may you rest 
in peace and ride those horses again. Sincerely, Levi's family. There 
will be a graveside service for Levi on Friday, October 16th at 3 p.m. 
at Morris Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, 
Boise Chapel. 

Published in Idaho Statesman on October 15, 2009