Jackie Burten Montella May 2, 1947 ~ August 26, 2023

Jackie Burten Montella passed away at his home on Saturday morning, August 26th, of an apparent heart attack. He was 76 years old.
He was born May 2, 1947, to Frank Anthony and Afton Burtenshaw Montella in Blanding. He was the third of six children: Frank, Connie, Jack, Teresa, Clara and Millie.
Jack had a great childhood. He grew up in the north part of town and he and his cousins spent their summer days in Westwater hunting, playing and looking for mischief. They also played on the knoll and swam in the old 1st reservoir. In the evenings they watched their dads play baseball at the old high school ball fields.
Jack played baseball in high school and played Jr. M-men basketball. He played in several church tournaments which were always special memories to him.
He was drafted into the army shortly after he graduated from high school and served a tour in Vietnam. He loved his country and was a true patriot.
He was discharged from the army in 1968, came home to Blanding and began dating Kathryn Nielson. They were married in October of 1968 and would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this year. They were the parents of three children: Jeff, Cortney and Stefani.
Jack worked at Young’s Machine in Monticello for 20 years as a welder. He started his own welding business in Blanding in 1989. He built it from the ground up and loved every minute of it. Jeff went to work for his dad after returning from his mission, they were quite a team. There wasn’t anything they couldn’t weld, repair or fabricate. They loved meeting and visiting with people who came into the shop.
Jack was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served many callings, including bishop of his ward. His testimony of his Savoir, Jesus Christ, was strong and he was always faithful to his beliefs.
Jack had eight grandchildren: Kylar, Kamri, Kailey and Javin Montella, McKenzie Feltner, Carson, Kenadi and Kortni Thornton. He had 2 great grandchildren. He loved them all dearly and always told them to “remember that Grandpa loves you.”
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, “Bo” and Afton Montella, brother, Frank, sisters, Connie and Teresa and sister-in-law, Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, children, Jeff (Sheri) Montella, Cortney Montella and Stefani (Brandon) Thornton, and by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Clara (Lyman) Palmer and Millie (Steve) Marks.
A viewing and service were held at the San Juan Mortuary on September 2, 2023. He was laid to rest in the Blanding Cemetery with full military honors. He will be greatly missed.