James ‘Macario’ David Montaño
A Man Who Shared His Heart of Gold
December 30, 1949 ~ July 17, 2011
James David Montaño, a native of Montrose Colorado and life-long resident, passed away Sunday July 17, 2011 near Naturita Colorado. He was engaging a passion, enjoying a beautiful motorcycle ride with friends; riding hard.
James was born to Hilario and Frances (Romero) Montaño in Montrose Colorado, the sixth of eight children. Working the mines with his father and older brothers, he learned early on the necessity and value of hard work and demonstrated it throughout his life. At age 14, James acquired his motorcycle license, and so began a passion for the thrill and independence only a motorcycle can deliver. He graduated from Montrose High School in 1968, the Class President, and the following year was drafted into the U.S. Army. After fighting in the Vietnam War for two years he returned to Montrose, and took a job as coordinator with the Colorado Migrant Counsel. [James later received an honorable discharge from the Army on August 1, 1975.] In 1974, a year after his first born, he joined the Carpenters Union. Demonstrating immense skill and leadership on any jobsite, he remained proud to work with the union contractors association for 38 years. Listed here are just a few of his work accomplishments.
1973-1976 – J.F. Shea Const. Co., Crystal Dam
1976-1977 – Westmorland Mine, Paonia (His first Carpenter Foreman job)
1978 – Montrose Sewer Treatment Plant expansion
1980-1983 – Green Const., Ridgeway Dam 1st Phase (Foreman)
1983-1987 – Granite Const., Ridgeway Dam 2nd Phase (Foreman)
1988 – Granite Const., Mount St. Helens Dam, Castle Rock Washington (Foreman)
1989 – Ridgeway Recreation Area
1996-1999 – H.W. Houston, Montrose CO Justice Center
2000 – H.W. Houston, Gunnison Hospital (Foreman)
Mid 2000’s – Delta Hospital (Foreman)
2011 – H.W. Houston, Montrose Airport
On May 24 1972, he married Pirie C. Copeland and had two beautiful children, Rachel Amada Montaño (1973) and Santiago Pedro Montaño (1977). This marriage ended in divorce. James later found love and lasting companionship with Victoria Gallegos, a high school classmate. They were married in Denver on April 17 1992. With each embraced by the other’s love and respect, sharing the willingness and desire to grow and learn together, they blazed a trail of life and light, throwing sparks together as one life until the Lord called James home.
Proud and honored, the surviving family members include his beloved wife Victoria Montaño, Frances R. Montaño (mother), Bernie (sister) and Pat Salazar (Ogden UT), Nellie Montaño (sister), Donna (sister) and Juan Inda, Ernesto Montaño (brother) and Connie Warren, Daniel Montaño (brother), Rachel (daughter) and Andrew Harris Montaño (Ojosarco NM), and his son Santiago Pedro Montaño (Grand Jct. CO). Other surviving family members include his three step children, Annette (Joe) Herrera (Littleton CO), Marcia Apodaca & companion Louis (Denver), and Manuel Apodaca (Denver), eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews, all of whom meant the world to him. James was preceded in death by his father, Hilario H. Montañ o, brothers, Leroy Montaño and J.R. Montaño, Nephews, Todd P. Salazar Sr., and Todd P. Salazar Jr., and grandson, Jason A. Martinez.
James loved his family and friends deeply and cherished spending time with them, sharing wisdoms, drawing laughter through their smiles. His children and grandchildren were truly special to him. You could feel and see this tremendous energy when they were together and even when he would just speak of them. James’ home was his labor of love and his life project; more than a castle, no less than a masterpiece and perfectly fit for a humble King and his Queen. He loved the outdoors and valued any view of the mountains especially the picture framed view that was his living room window.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 11:00 am at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. Burial with military Honors will follow the service at Grand View Cemetery, West of Montrose. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose.
