Obituary of Pete Robert Montoya, Jr.

Our beloved, Pete R. Montoya, Jr., was called to our Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 28, 2019.  Pete was preceded by his mother, Antonia Ledesma Montoya, his father Rev. Pedro Montoya, his grand-son Domingo Librado Gonzalez Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Yvonne Bocanegra Montoya, and his brothers-in-law, Rev. Jacinto Castillo and David Escamilla. 

Pete Robert Montoya, Jr. was born March 6, 1943 to Reverend Pedro Montoya and Antonia Ledesma Montoya in Austin, Texas.   There are a few milestones in Pete’s life that changed affected his destiny.  The first was his service to his country, the second his marriage to his high school sweetheart and the birth of his children.   

Pete was 17 years old when he joined the US Navy in 1961.  He proudly served for 26 years active and reserved duty, achieving the rank of Master Chief before his retirement in 1987.   He was awarded two navy commendations for meritorious service, one in combat with the gold V for valor and one for establishing a safety program for the North America Seabees Division.   He served two terms in Vietnam and was part of multiple training exercises reporting directly to various Admirals.  

During his time in the Navy he was a part of the construction division known as the Seabees.   He honed the skills he learned working construction with his father and after his terms of active duty, he continued in the construction industry utilizing his skills to succeed in his civilian life.   During this time he was fortunate to have worked for BL McGee for 21 years, starting as a carpenter and raising to the title of Superintendent.   He was involved in several University of Texas projects.   After Mr. McGee’s death, he moved on to other contractors in the area working for such clients as IBM and Abbott Labs.   In 1986 he decided to become a general contractor under the company name of Montoya & Sons Construction Company, Inc.    His first project as the owner of Montoya & Sons was building the Capital Metro Administration Building on 5^th and Pleasant Valley.   In 1989, the contacts he made with Abbott and IBM opened doors for him so that he was able to open a second office for Montoya & Sons in the Chicagoland area.   He kept both offices opened for a few years, but eventually realized the company would be much more prosperous in Illinois, so he loaded up his family and moved to Chicago where he had many successful years up until his retirement in 1999.    

The same year Pete joined the Navy he married his high school sweetheart of 34 years, Elida Lydia Romo. He had five children with her; Evelyn Montoya- (Manuel) Campos, Pete Montoya, III, Angie Montoya (Domingo) Gonzalez, Carlos (Becky) Montoya and Mario (Mayra Aguilar) Montoya.  After his divorce from Lydia, he married and had a son with Maria Diaz by the name of Marcos Montoya.  After Maria’s untimely death, Pete was fortunate enough to find love again in his later years.  His marriage to Remedio Montoya gave him two new children; Franco and Sabrina Tijerina.  Pete’s children were his pride and joy.   From these children he received thirteen grandchildren and four great-grand children and well as acquiring his additional children by marriage, Manuel Campos, Domingo Gonzalez, Becky Montoya, Mayra Montoya and Michele Montoya.     

He is also survived by four brothers, Jack (Mary) Montoya, Rudy (Estella) Montoya, Rev. Samuel (Melba) Montoya and Rev. Felix (Vondell) Montoya and three sisters: Margie Montoya Castillo, Angelita Montoya (Rev. Mike) Escamilla and Rev. Antonia Montoya Escamilla as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other loving family and friends.  

If Pete could say something as his last words it would be, “I have been privileged to have known and worked with so many people all over the U.S. and I was fortunate enough to have owned my own company. I had many true friends and a loving family. There is nothing more that I could have asked for out of my life.”  

Pallbearers will be Pete Montoya III, Carlos Montoya, Mario Montoya, Marcos Montoya, Mike Campos, Franco Tijerina, Javier Zuniga, and Claudio Garcia. Honorary Pallbearers will be Matthew Simpson, Matthew Montoya, Pete Montoya IV, and Joshua Montoya.

Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 2, 2019 with a Prayer Service officated by his brother, Rev. Sam Montoya beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Funeral Home - South Side, 6204 S. First St., Austin, Texas.  Additional visitation will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2019 also at the funeral home.

A Graveside Service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 IH35, Pflugerville, Texas.