Buddy Wayne Montanez, Jr.

Buddy Wayne Montanez, Jr. was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 26, 1972, and was called home by our Heavenly Father on April 16, 2025, at the age of fifty-two.

A dedicated fan of the Arizona Cardinals and lover of life, he served as a Forward Observer in the U.S. Army, earning the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Parachutist Badge. Buddy Wayne was assigned to 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He later served with the Arizona Army National Guard until being honorably discharged. “Airborne……All the Way.”

Buddy Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 17 years LaKeisha, his mother, Frances, Momz Angie and Popz, Ralph, his sister Raquel (Don, Jacob and Nicholas) brothers, Francisco and Xavier (Sarah and Miles), and many related aunts, uncles, and cousins within the Montanez, Chavez, Rillamas, and Benavidez families.

My husband, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh

Mijo, you are missed by family and friends that love you. You will live on in our hearts.

“Vaya con Dios esposo, hijo, hermano, primo, sobrino, padrino, y amigo”

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Whitney and Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018. Mass is scheduled at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Basilica Monday, May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85024.