John Montgomery

DR. JOHN CLAYTON MONTGOMERY

Iowa City

Dr. John Clayton Montgomery of Iowa City died Sunday, March 6, 2016, at home after a brief illness.

Born Jan. 1, 1931, in Joplin, Mo., he was the son of Dr. Brook and Mary Montgomery. He graduated from Joplin High School and the University of Missouri as a member of R.O.T.C. He received his dental and M.S. degrees from the University of Missouri. Dr. Montgomery received his certificate in Oral Surgery from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

He entered the U.S. Air Force and served as a captain and chief of Oral Surgery at Carswell A.F.B. in Fort Worth, Texas. He entered private practice in Omaha, Neb., and served as an instructor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and Medicine.

Dr. Montgomery served on the faculty at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry from 1963 until 1972. He served as professor and chairman at the University of Florida College of Dentistry from 1972 to 1974. Dr. Montgomery returned to the University of Iowa in 1974 and served as executive associate dean and professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery until his retirement in 1996. He then was senior advisor to the dean until 2000.

His work was published in numerous journals, abstracts and books. He established and directed the Oral and Maxillofacial Implant Center. Dr. Montgomery supervised the education of more than 100 oral surgery residents and was described as a true mentor and colleague.

Dr. Montgomery was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was actively involved with the American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Pierre Fauchard Academy, Midwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Iowa Board of Dental Examiners and Iowa Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists.

Dr. Montgomery served on numerous committees for the Iowa Dental Association from 1974 to 1988 and received the Distinguished Service Award in 2013. He served on the College of Dentistry Alumni Association from 1973 until his passing.

John is survived by his high school sweetheart, Shirley, wife of 62 years; son, John (Tammy); son, Robert (grandson Justin); sister, Mary Lou Blair; and nephew, Dr. Brook Blair (Helen and grandniece Nora Lou).

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 16, at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City from 4 to 7 p.m. A private burial will be in Joplin, Mo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the University of Iowa Foundation, College of Dentistry Achievement Fund.

Thoughts may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.