Rodney Givens Montfort
June 17, 1918 - August 8, 2014

Rodney Givens Montfort, age 96, passed from this earth on Friday, August 8, 2014, from complications arising from Alzheimer's. Rodney was the first child of Vories and Onita Givens Montfort, born June 17, 1918. He was born and raised on a family farm located outside of Campbellsburg, KY. Although he was a Kentucky native, Rodney also had Texas roots and was proud of the fact that his great grandfather helped settle Del Valle and served as its first Postmaster. In 1936, upon graduation from high school, Rodney left Kentucky and moved to Texas, only to complete yet another senior year at Austin High School. He attended the University of Texas and the University of Florida. In the early 1940's he began employment with the Interstate Theatres. He enlisted in the Army and served as an artillery specialist during World War II, earning two Bronze Stars in the process. He returned to the Interstate Theatres after the war and worked many tireless hours at the State and Paramount. In 1948, he married Eleanor Miller. They would have been married 66 years on November 26. They had two daughters, Cheryl, and Delanie. At 41 years of age he began another career with the Postal Service. He worked his way up through the ranks and retired as a supervisor at the main post office in downtown Austin. Rodney had an undeniable exuberance for life. He was fiercely loyal to family and friends. He served His Lord, he served his country and was always community and service minded. He was heavily involved at First English Lutheran Church, volunteered for years at the Austin State Hospital and was a member of the VFW Post 8925, at Pilot Knob. Rodney's deep voice often resonated at the Austin Saengerrunde German Club where he enjoyed many years of involvement with the men's singing group. He and Eleanor enjoyed years of camaraderie with this group - not only singing, but attending dances and traveling, too. He became a Mason in 1955 and was affiliated with the Onion Creek Masonic Lodge. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching it all - whether it was a T-ball game or the World Series, Pop Warner football or the Longhorns, he loved it all, enthusiastically attending many of his grandchildren's events. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Montfort, and sister, Loyce Flood. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; daughter, Cheryl Roberts, and husband, Robert Eaton; daughter, Delanie Case and husband, Dan Case; sister, Madge Dearth; grandchildren, Jeff (Jody), Kelli, Craig (Annie), and Scott (Tiffany) Roberts, Garrett (Lauren), Trevor (Breanne), and Clayton Lundgren; step-grandchildren, Ryan and Lindsay Eaton; great-grandchildren, Macey, Maria, Miller, Mabry and Emery Roberts; numerous nieces and nephews and extended friends and family, especially Janet and Fred Owen, and Evelyn and Harvey Gann. A special thanks to Rita Beatty and her wonderful staff of caregivers in the Clarebridge unit at the Summit at Northwest Hills and to Susan and Joan with Brookdale Hospice. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, August 11, 2014, at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas.A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Avenue, Austin, Texas. Entombment will follow at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Mausoleum, Austin, Texas.Memorial contributions may be made to First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78705, or to the Alzheimer's Association, Capital of Texas Chapter, 3520 Executive Center Dr., #140, Austin, TX 78731. Ein Prosit!

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