Roger Elgin Montre was born on November 20, 1931 and passed away on January 25, 2024, at the golden age of 92, in his hometown of Grass Valley, CA. Roger was married to his loving wife of 71 years, Judy Montre. He was a caring, adventurous father to his three children and their spouses, Randy (Angie), Taryn (Nick), Rick (Karen), to his 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his two siblings, Jack (Vivian) and Diane, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Victor and Audrey Montre, and his two grandsons, Travis and Kyle Montre.

Roger was born in Sacramento, CA and moved to the foothills of Grass Valley as a young child. He graduated from Grass Valley High School in 1949. He was an outstanding athlete in multiple sports: a Golden Glove Boxer, a stand-out football player, and held multiple track and field records. He married the love of his life, Judy Darlene Cogdill, on August 17, 1952. Roger was drafted three months later, and served with distinction in the U.S. Army on the front lines of Korea, rising to the rank of Sergeant. After returning home from Korea, Roger served as an Army Reservist, and was Honorably Discharged July 31, 1960. Roger graduated from Chico State University in 1956 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts.

Roger began teaching for Nevada County Schools in 1956, including Hennessy School, Grass Valley High School, and continued his career in teaching high school Industrial Arts with the opening of Nevada Union High School in 1961. Roger retired after 35 years in June of 1990. He was remembered as a respected teacher, and for mentoring many young men in crafts like woodworking, knife making, gun smithing, the love of nature, and the value of hard work.

Roger was a Naturalist, deeply in tune with all facets of nature and loved to hunt and fish throughout the Sierra and Rocky Mountains, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Alaska, and Canada. He enjoyed spending time with his lovely wife Judy by his side, his children, grandchildren and many friends, around any campfire while hunting, fishing, camping, weiny roasts and even backyard wine time.

Roger instilled his love of nature, his adventurous spirit, and his knowledge of forestry and abundant history, to his children and grandchildren, and anyone who would listen. Roger was a skilled bass fisherman and fly fishing enthusiast, casting a lure or fly into the tiniest of hidden spots on an ocean, lake or stream. He will always be remembered with a sense of humor and quick wit. Each day offered an adventure, or a task to complete, and making hard work fun.


Roger’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Grass Valley Veterans Hall on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Our event will begin with an All Nevada County Honor Guard military ceremony.