If there is a huge empty spot in Holly Hills softball team dugouts this summer in Northeastern Ohio it is due to the absence of Coach Dave (Doc) Montgomery. Dr. David Miguel Montgomery of 403 Clarendon Ave., Canton passed away in his home on June 8th, 2008 at the age of 65.He was born to the late John Richard and Elizabeth Eleanor (Sharpe) Montgomery on August 28, 1942 in Pennsylvania. In addition to practicing medicine for over 40 years, Doc devoted his time to coaching girls' softball. Over the course of many years, Doc has taken his softball teams to hundreds of tournaments throughout the United States and Europe as well. His encyclopedic knowledge of the rule book and his coaching strategy has led many umpires and coaches to "toe the line" and strive to do the right thing; usually to his team's advantage. Always a scholar, Doc graduated at the age of 16 from Kent State University High School and then, at the age of 19, from Kent State University. In addition to his studies, Doc also swam competitively during both high school and college. Continuing his record pace, Doc graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School at the remarkably young age of 22. He went on to specialize in Internal Medicine with a Fellowship in Hematology. He was President of the Aultman Hospital Staff in 1979 and served in this hospital virtually his whole career. Doc served in Vietnam from late 1968 to late 1969 and was the officer in charge of the Medical Section of Combined Intelligence Center Vietnam. He was a captain responsible for exploiting and reporting on all types of captured enemy medical personnel, equipment, and supplies. He traveled throughout the country and his work definitely helped save American lives. He was highly regarded by the American and Vietnamese intelligence services and was awarded the Bronze Star for his accomplishments. He is survived by daughters Karen Montgomery, of Colorado Springs; Laura Switzer, of Cincinnati; son David Montgomery, of Canton; sister Diana Montgomery, of Green Bay, brother Dan Montgomery of Virginia Beach, and five loving grandchildren. His passion for life and his devotion to family, friends and patients will carry on in the spirit of all the people whose lives he has touched. Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 13, 2008 at Christ Presbyterian Church 530 Tuscarawas St. W., Canton, with Father Carey E. Sloan III and Rev. David A. deVries officiating. Interment will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent, OH. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday in the Spiker-Foster-Shriver Funeral Home, 710 Tuscarawas ST. W. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dr. David Montgomery's name to the American Cancer Society, 525 North Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406. A party to celebrate Doc's life in August will be announced at a later date by the family.