Simon Lynn Montes

Memorial services and Mass for Simon Lynn Montes will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church followed by a celebration of Lynn's life in the St. Andrews Church hall. His urn inurnment will then follow at 5:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the Moral community of Nacogdoches, County. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel.

Simon Lynn Montes, CPA, of Nacogdoches County, Texas, was born May 20, 1938, to Sam H. and Freddie (Rodrigues) Montes. Lynn passed Sunday, May 10, 2026 at his home while surrounded by the love of family, friends and caregivers.

Lynn was a lifelong East Texan who valued faith, family, education, and service. He attended St. Ann's Catholic School through the eighth grade and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in May 1956. He continued his education at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting in May 1960. In 1971, he earned his Certified Public Accountant designation.

He began his accounting career with Axley & Rode, CPA's in August 1960 and served the firm until his first retirement as a partner on December 31, 1993. Following his retirement from Axley & Rode, CPA’s, he continued on working part-time with Memorial Health System of East Texas (CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial) as their Internal Auditor and Financial Analyst until his second retirement at the age of 82.

A devoted Catholic, Lynn was a longtime member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Lufkin, Texas where he was actively involved in the financial accounting of the parish and reporting to the Diocese of Tyler. Lynn's faith always guided the way he lived his life - with humility, kindness, integrity, and compassion toward others.

On June 21, 1969, Lynn married Marian (Cernosek) and lovingly embraced her daughters, Laurie and Sandee Krueger, as his own family.

Lynn also dedicated himself to public and community service. In May 1993, he was appointed by Governor Ann Richards to serve on the Board of Regents for Stephen F. Austin State University, where he served until July 1999. He was proud of his alma mater and believed deeply in the value of education and opportunity for future generations.

He also proudly served his country as a member of the 49th Armored Division of the Texas Army National Guard for approximately six years, including ten months of active duty at Fort Polk, Louisiana, during the activation ordered by President John F. Kennedy in response to the Berlin Wall Crisis.

Lynn is survived by his beloved wife, Marian (Cernosek) Montes; stepdaughters, Laurie Krueger Stamper and husband Gregg of Bullard and Sandee Wilkinson and husband Ken of New Ulm; grandson, Casey L. Dunn of Tyler; brothers, Paul Montes and wife Bonnie of Tatum, Frank Montes and wife Linda of Tomball, and Irie Montes and wife Karen of Nacogdoches; sisters, Shirley Brazas and husband Rick of Nacogdoches and Kathryn Yates and husband Darrel of DeBerry; along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Special thanks to Maria Lopez, a long-time dedicated friend to the family.

Lynn will always be remembered for his sense of humor, quiet demeanor and steady presence whose life reflected honesty, dedication, and love for his family and community.

His wisdom, gentle spirit, and unwavering character left a lasting impression on all who knew him. Lynn enjoyed his television time viewed on his 86 inch television with surround sound in his favorite recliner in his favorite room of the house. Lynn was quick to buy the newest, coolest, while still professional looking, car and was the first person to own a computer at Axley & Rode CPA's at the beginning of the computer age.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, 1611 Feagin Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, the Simon Lynn & Marian Montes Accounting Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin State University, Office of Advancement Services, SFA Box 6092, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962, or to the charity of your choice.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.