87-year-old man takes birthday wish to new heights
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TACOMA, Wash. -- An 87-year-old Tacoma man took his birthday wish to new heights, and brought three other generations of his family along for the ride.
Monty Montgomery asked his family to take a leap of faith, and they took the plunge.
"What's it mean to have four generations jump?" wondered grandson Buddy Montgomery. "I'd never heard of something like this before."
One plane, one adventure, four generations trusting a parachute, including the 87-year-old Monte, who had the world at his feet, until the sky had a hold of him.
Monty Montgomery says he felt the fall, heard the wind, smelled and tasted the air. But most of all, he saw the horizon.
That's important because when you ask if he'd do it again: "I really can't answer that because I don't think it'd be any fun jumping blind," he said.
It is the last time he'd see the horizon. Monty has mascular degeneration. Eight years ago a doctor said he'd be blind by now.
"I've been making a liar out of him for a couple of years," he said.
Monty's left eye is dead. He used what's left of his right eye to take in earth's curves and contours, along with the faces of family. It's a family just seven years ago he didn't have.
"One day I don't have a family and the next day I have beaucoups of them," he said.
After a divorce, 40 years passed before the former soldier laid eyes on his daughter Donna.
"I broke down and cried like a baby," he said.
Years later, even through clouded vision he can still see her.
Like any plunge into the unknown, Donna and Monty say falling into a new family took trust -- trust they could love each other and trust they could take a united leap of faith.
"I have a family, a wonderful family, and I hope I'll be around for many more years," Monty said.
Monty hasn't written off other adventures in the future. By then, he may yet have another family member. He's expecting his first great-great-grandchild next spring.
Monty Montgomery asked his family to take a leap of faith, and they took the plunge.
"What's it mean to have four generations jump?" wondered grandson Buddy Montgomery. "I'd never heard of something like this before."
One plane, one adventure, four generations trusting a parachute, including the 87-year-old Monte, who had the world at his feet, until the sky had a hold of him.
Monty Montgomery says he felt the fall, heard the wind, smelled and tasted the air. But most of all, he saw the horizon.
That's important because when you ask if he'd do it again: "I really can't answer that because I don't think it'd be any fun jumping blind," he said.
It is the last time he'd see the horizon. Monty has mascular degeneration. Eight years ago a doctor said he'd be blind by now.
"I've been making a liar out of him for a couple of years," he said.
Monty's left eye is dead. He used what's left of his right eye to take in earth's curves and contours, along with the faces of family. It's a family just seven years ago he didn't have.
"One day I don't have a family and the next day I have beaucoups of them," he said.
After a divorce, 40 years passed before the former soldier laid eyes on his daughter Donna.
"I broke down and cried like a baby," he said.
Years later, even through clouded vision he can still see her.
Like any plunge into the unknown, Donna and Monty say falling into a new family took trust -- trust they could love each other and trust they could take a united leap of faith.
"I have a family, a wonderful family, and I hope I'll be around for many more years," Monty said.
Monty hasn't written off other adventures in the future. By then, he may yet have another family member. He's expecting his first great-great-grandchild next spring.
Good for him!!!!Â
One more for the bucket list! Out of ***sight!
The jump is special, but I find the fact that he was able to reconnect with his family after 40 years. I hope that Monty is able to SEE that great-great-grandchild...
This is very old news. I believe this was in The News Tribune on the 1st of September and the jump happened on Aug 31st. I'm surprised this article doesn't mention the jump was at the airport in Shelton.Â
 @JT Skydive Kapowsin, right? They apparently have a well-regarding program.
 @LockesChild Correct. They have at least one plane flying all day out here weather permitting.
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Yes, 4 generations have indeed jumped before! 3 years ago, my grandmother made a jump for her 90th birthday. And she is blind, but still enjoyed it tremendously. As she said, she could feel it!
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/54625597.html?tab=video&c=y
You're never too old - and vision loss shouldn't stop you from doing what you want to do. Sadly, my grandmother is now bed-ridden, so she likely won't be able to jump again at 100 like she wanted to. But this was an experience that she still talks about - as do the rest of us.Â
You are only as old as you feel..... or as the Mrs. says only as old as the man I feel......
F-A-M-I-L-Y KOMO, that is 6 letters, not 5. Great story, Donna is my cousin. She brought just "part" of her family to our reunion this year and increased our numbers by 18! A wonderful family filled with love. Donna, you are gorgeous inside and out. I love you cuz!
 @Momma Fro You are so funny! and you arent the only one who caught the 5 letter thing! And thank you for the compliment! I love you more! All in all it was a great news feature. My dad is one happy man!
You go, dude! Â Happy happy birthday - may you have a joyous year & many more!
Cool, way cool !!