In Celebration of Bobby Lamontagne:

Bobby Lamontagne entered this world on March 17, 1958, in Paris, France, born to Leo Lamontagne and Annick Marie Aufrere Lamontagne. At just six months old, he made the journey to the United States, and before long his family settled in Del Rio, Texas, where Bobby spent his childhood and graduated from Del Rio High School in 1976.

After high school, Bobby proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. Following his military service, he attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1987. Bobby was a Red Raider through and through. If Texas Tech had won a football game on Saturday, there was a pretty good chance Bobby would show up to church on Sunday proudly wearing red and black. Win or lose, he loved his Red Raiders.

While living in Lubbock, Bobby met the love of his life, Donna Meares. Donna often says she first fell in love with Bobby’s love for friends and outgoing personality. People were naturally drawn to him. He had a way of making everyone feel important, welcomed, and loved.

Bobby and Donna were married on July 4, 1992, and together they celebrated 34 wonderful years of marriage. When they married, Bobby brought with him his son, Jonathan, whom he loved. Together, Bobby and Donna built a beautiful family and were blessed with two daughters, Courtney and Addie. His girls adored him, and he adored them right back. Whether it was a daddy-daughter date, cheering them on, making them laugh, or simply being present, Bobby was the kind of father every daughter hopes for. If you asked Courtney and Addie, they'd simply tell you he was the very best girl dad.

But Bobby's greatest love was Jesus.

His faith wasn't something he talked about only on Sundays—it was something he lived every day. He faithfully served his church and especially loved teaching the youth Sunday School class. He often joked that he learned as much from the students as they learned from him. Bobby never met a stranger, and he never missed an opportunity to encourage someone, pray with someone, or remind them they were loved by God.

If Bobby was walking toward you, you knew what was coming. You'd hear a cheerful, "Top of the morning!" Then came the hug, the kiss on the cheek, and before long you'd hear, "Love you!" It didn't matter if you had known Bobby for thirty years or thirty minutes—he loved you just the same.

Bobby loved classic rock, sports, and could probably quote Lonesome Dove better than most people. He enjoyed life's simple pleasures, but nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his family, laughing with friends, and sharing the love of Christ.

He was a prayer warrior. He believed every conversation was an opportunity to plant a seed. He understood that kindness costs nothing but can change everything. Bobby lived generously—with his time, his laughter, his hugs, and his heart.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Leo and Barbara Lamontagne; his father and mother-in-law Bill and Kay Meares; his beloved wife, Donna; his children, Jonathan, Courtney, and Addie; his brothers, Steve Lamontagne (Michelle) and Garry Merritt; his sisters, Dominique Lamontagne Harmon (Tim), Julie Merritt, Anita Pluyman (Burt), Jodie Huie (Niles), and Cerise Ripps (Walt); his brothers-in-law, Mike Meares and Steve Meares (Charisse); his sister-in-law,Tasha Meares Smith (Rob); and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and countless friends who all have stories of how Bobby made them feel loved.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Annick Marie Aufrere Lamontagne.

Bobby loved big, and he was loved big in return.

His family finds comfort knowing that Bobby is exactly where he longed to be—in the presence of the Savior he faithfully served. While our hearts are broken and we will miss his laugh, his hugs, his stories, and hearing "Top of the morning," we know heaven became a little louder the day Bobby arrived.

If Bobby could leave us with one final lesson, it wouldn't be about success or possessions. It would simply be this: Love God. Love Others. Hug often. Pray without ceasing. Tell the people in your life that you love them. Be a light in a world that desperately needs one.

The world is brighter because Bobby was here. May we honor his legacy by loving as generously, laughing as freely, and living as faithfully as he did.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Mission 911 or to support Sierra's mission trip, causes that reflect Bobby's heart for serving others and sharing the love of Christ. Your generosity will help continue the work that meant so much to him.

Mission 911

https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/_3mBb8rRy9yNXWlVbDPjfw

Sierra Reismeier's Mission Trip

https://give.cmfi.org/donate/sierra-reismeier