Franklin Linwood Montgomery, 86, of Buena Vista, Virginia passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, October 15, 2019, surrounded by family.

Born March 4, 1933 in Rockbridge County, he was the son of the late Freemont and Alice Montgomery.

He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Montgomery Whitten.

Franklin was a member of Kerrs Creek Baptist Church and former member of Kerrs Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

He was passionate about his motor home and loved camping with family and friends. He enjoyed bluegrass music, a fan and friend of "Nothing Fancy," loved Guy Carawan's Bluegrass Jam, special friend and family member Calvin Coffey for great times and memories. He volunteered as campground host at Glen Maury Park for several years.

Franklin spent 45 years in the road construction field. He was well-known among various construction companies up and down the East Coast and oversaw many projects from Mississippi to Pennsylvania including the Capital Beltway, Washington, D.C., Metro Subway, airport runway extensions, skyscraper foundations, hydroelectric dams, in charge of building numerous highways in several states, was certified in blasting, college of engineering soil and site at Clemson University. With a very successful career he retired in 1995 from Branch Highways Inc.

Franklin and Elsie enjoyed traveling the country in their motor home and spending winter months in Florida.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Elsie Allen Montgomery. He was blessed with four children, Debra Montgomery Reed (Darwin), Joyce Montgomery Jarvis, Gregory Montgomery Sr. (Diane), and Teresa Montgomery Mayo (Mike). He was so proud of his seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. His three furry friends, Ernie, Bella, and Loela will miss his companionship.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel.

The family expresses special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Abdelmalek and staff at the University of Virginia Cancer and Hope Center in Fishersville for all their special care and to Rockbridge Area Hospice (Christina) for your care and support.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Mary Huffman (Furever Friends) in Buena Vista to help rescue cats.

Arrangements are being handled by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services.