Unfortunately, mom died of an apparent CVA when I was 15 months old and for two years, my brother and sister raised me, while dad used his “SeaBee skills” to build drive-in and in-door theaters across the five (5) state area. In 1954, he remodeled the “Beltonian Theater” in Belton, Texas and fell in love with the central location, area lakes and hill country. This led to our family moving to Belton in 1968, where I completed elementary, Jr. High and High School, graduating in May of 1975. Sports, girls and cars were my only interest at this time (not necessarily in that order), and I was pretty much without purpose, but little did I know, God was already working for my good, in sleepy little Belton, Texas.
My first introduction to chiropractic may give credence to the thoughts of many. I was playing baseball with two of my friends at age four. There were no “whiffle balls” or “plastic bats”; we played with the real thing! When one of the friends somehow hit my fast ball, he threw the bat as he ran to first base. Even though I was in shock that he hit my “heater”, I bent to field the ball as the bat struck me in the top of my head. I continued to play, but the next morning I could not move my neck. It must have been a Wednesday or Thursday, but we tried aspirin and heat rub until my dad came home on Friday night. Saturday morning, he put a cut down piece of plywood in the back of the Mercury and they drove me 30 miles to Albany, Texas where there as a chiropractor we heard was not as “rough” as the one in Breckenridge. In one visit, I could move my head and neck, and it is reported I “adjusted” my Teddy Bear and Chimpanzee for a month or more after the visit!
Fast forward to the end of my junior year in high school, and during a linebacker drill, my knee was injured. Our coaches were big advocates of Chiropractic care and referred me to Dr. Sid Isdale. My visit to Dr. Sid was shortly after the “former orthopedist for the Minnesota Vikings” (who worked at our local hospital) said, “I don’t know what is wrong with your knee, but we can take the knee cap out and shave it and see how that does”. Even at 17, I knew two things; 1.) knee surgery in May would mean I would not play my senior year, & 2.) No one was doing surgery on me if they didn’t “know” what was wrong! Three days after seeing Dr. Isdale the first time, I was back on the practice field, as he knew how to diagnose and adjust a medial meniscus. Heck, he actually knew what was wrong!!! To this date, I have never had to have surgery on the knee, although I am reminded of the injury quite often! With sports still one of my three favorite things, I enrolled at Central Texas College as a Journalism major in the fall of 1975, with a focus on television journalism. My goal was to be the next Frank Gifford, of Monday Night Football lore. Headaches plagued me during my studies so I returned to Dr. Sid. Not only did he understand my headaches, but he knew of my family situation and lack of true passion for journalism and one day as I lie on his table, he invited me to join him in the Chiropractic profession. While for me, it was akin to Christ inviting Peter, James and John in his mission, Dr. Sid was not quite as eloquent. If memory serves me right, he spoke these words: “Why don’t you quit messing around with this TV junk and go be a chiropractor?” I never had the courage to ask why he would ask me to join him in the profession he loved, but it was a true gift from God. I look forward to asking Dr. Sid that question one day.
In the fall of 1976, I took a semester off from college. Dr. Sid was persistent and during this time I visited Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena. In January of 1977, I enrolled in San Jacinto College in Pasadena to begin work on my basic science courses, as all of my journalism courses, save English and History, counted as electives. I somehow completed 30 additional hours in the spring and summer of 1977, allowing me to have enough hours to begin TCC in August of 1977. HOWEVER, they had enough students for their class and said I would have to wait until 1978. Waiting has never been a strength of mine, so I paid daily visits to Dr. Mohle to ask him if anything had changed. According to him a couple of students didn’t show to begin classes (or he got tired of me pestering him) and he allowed me to join the 1977 fall class as one of ninety-nine students.
Dr. Mohle most likely thought twice of his decision later that year. After one of his famous Chiropractic Philosophy quizzes, a classmate of mine and I had virtually the same answer. Dr. Mohle counted his answer correct and mine wrong. I was pretty disgusted with him not changing his mind and counting my answer correct, also. At the end of class, I raised my hand and said, “Dr. Mohle, you act like this is a matter of life and death!” Nintey-nine of us thought that was a funny comment……….Not so much for Dr. Mohle….! Yet, he allowed me to stay in class and just a little over 50 of us completed our studies and requirements, graduating on May 16, 1981. While at TCC I worked for Southmore Hospital in the laboratory and Physicians Emergency Clinic as a lab and x-ray tech. These positions allowed me to be a “Staff Intern” in the TCC clinic laboratory, and saved me a great deal of money as I was fairly accomplished at imaging by the time I opened my own practice. Unfortunately, although I had acquired 120 + hours of undergrad courses, I was one PE class short of an Associate’s Degree at San Jacinto College and I never completed this class or my Bachelor’s degree.
I returned to Belton to begin looking for a place to practice and Dr. Sid “put me to work” which basically entailed me following him around seeing patients. After about one month of this, his oldest son, Dr. Skip Isdale had a staff person leave and I went over to fill in while he was hiring, performing exam, x-ray and therapy duties. He hired a staff person, and put me in charge of training her in the back office. She stayed with Dr. Skip for over 20 years and was very productive for his practices.
During this time I was getting my loan portfolio together, but due to having assets that included a car and whatever Dr. Sid paid me that week, banks rejected my appeals. My father had become involved in a bad business deal with his family and a friend. The family walked away from the business, as well as the friend. My father held on and continued to make payments for over two years, even though the business had closed. My stepmother, seeing the “writing on the wall”, filed for divorce. This was the final straw and my father was forced to file bankruptcy. Therefore, there was no family to help me start my practice, so once again, Dr. Sid stepped in and co-signed my business note for $28,000.00. I finished build out of my rental space and opened my practice in Belton, Texas on September 21, 1981. Nine years later, I purchased a lot and began construction of the clinic I still inhabit, which is 3250 square feet on 6th Avenue, in Belton. Upon receiving the Keeler Plaque, I had been in practice in Belton for 35 years and 9 months.
Shortly after opening my practice Dr. Sid asked me to attend the Texas Chiropractic Association District 8 meeting in Salado, Texas. I would do anything or be anywhere Dr. Sid requested. However, I think he did fail to mention it was the annual election meeting. I was elected as a district director in my first meeting and Secretary of District 8 in 1983. At that time we usually had between 75 and 100 doctors that attended each meeting and notification, including minutes were transmitted by way of “snail mail”. These e-mailers today have it made!!! I progressed through the chairs and was elected state director for District 8 in 1986. I served four years as state director. From 1991-1992 I served as Governmental Affairs Coordinator. At this same time, the TBCE formed the Texas Peer Review Committee. I served on this committee from 1991 to 1993, serving as Chairman from 1992-1993. In 1994 I served as TCA’s Department of Internal Affairs Coordinator. TCA had an unusual event occur at this time, and the TCA Secretary vacated his position. I was elected to complete his term and then re-elected as Secretary in 1996. I then progressed through the chairs, serving as president-elect from 1997-1998, serving as President from 1998-1999, during the 76th Texas legislative session in 1999.
Professionally during this journey, I was honored as follows:
Commencement Keynote Speaker -Texas Chiropractic College – Spring 2011Texas Young Chiropractor of the Year Award – 1995Texas Chiropractic Association’s Presidents Award – 1995Master of Ceremonies, Texas Chiropractic Association Convention,Presidential Banquet – 1991Parker Team Teacher, Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation – 1989Texas Chiropractic College Certificate of Merit – 1981
I also sought to continue my education in an ongoing effort to be clinically competent, as follows:
Certified Copes Scoliosis Total Recovery System – 1996TIRSAT Designated Doctor for Texas Workman’s Compensation Commission – 1996 to 2007Diplomat of American Board of Disability Analyst – 1996Whiplash – Master Certificate – 1994Certified in Manipulation-Under-Anesthesia – 1991Diplomat of American Academy of Pain Management – 1990Certified Red Cross Back School Instructor – 1989Board Eligible Chiropractic Orthopedist – 1988Certified in Rating Permanent Impairment – 1983Graduate of Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation – 1981Staff Intern Laboratory Medicine, Texas Chiropractic College – 1980Basic Science Certificate - 1978
I returned to serve on the TCA Board the next year, but the previous four years had been very difficult on my wife, as she was taking care of two boys who grew from 7 and 11 years old to 11 and 15 years old during this time. The wives and children pay a heavy toll, so I stepped away from the TCA for a few years, participating primarily in district activities, designated doctor activities, as well as hosting and attending political fundraisers. However, I had always been involved in my community and the short list is as follows:
City of Belton Planning and Zoning Commission; 2007 – 2010City of Belton Board of Zoning Adjustments: 2006 – 2007Belton Lions Club-2005-2011Deacon Committee Chairman – First Baptist Church; Belton – 2003Deacon Committee – First Baptist Church; Belton – 2001-2003President – Christian Farms/Tree House 1994-1996 Board of Directors- 1990-1994Mentor for BISD Teen Leadership Program – 1990 – 1993Belton Rotary Club Board of Directors and Vocational Committee Director – 1985-1986Belton Christian Youth Center Board of Advisors – 1984 – 1986Chairman Belton Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee – 1984-1986Belton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors – 1983 - 1986; 2003-2009
I received several awards during this time:
Belton Lions Club “Lion of the Year”-2008Outstanding Young Men of America – 1986Belton Rotary Vocational Director Award – 1986
With one son off to college in 2004, I sent in an application to become a member of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiner. Governor Perry appointed Dr. Sidney Isdale’s second son, Dr. Scott Isdale, and I was very happy for Dr. Scott and TBCE because he was of the same quality as his father.
I took this as a great sign, as God obviously wanted me to continue to be involved in Belton; staying close to home until my second son graduated from High School in 2007.
I still needed interaction with my Chiropractic brothers and was fortunate to receive a call in January of 2004, asking if I was interested in attending a meeting of the High Country Chiropractic Knights of the Roundtable. I had heard of this fraternal organization from other chiropractors. There are five groups of Chiropractic Knights, each composed of 25 chiropractors, in the world. The five groups are the Royal Chiropractic Knights of the Roundtable, International Knights, the East and West Coast Knights and the High Country Knights. The International Group is composed of Chiropractors from Europe. The High Country Knights are Chiropractors from the middle of the U.S.A. and obviously the East and West Coast Knights are from those regions. The Royal Knights, composed of all female chiropractors, is also an international group. Each group meets, independently, three times per year. At each meeting, each attendee presents a 20 minute speech on a topic of their choosing. I was honored to be a member from April 2004 until October of 2015, serving as Historian, Secretary and finally Chairman from 2012-2014. I chose to leave this organization to spend more time with my grandchildren. I lost a great deal of time with my two sons and did not want to repeat the error.
In 2008, prior to the legislative session, the TCA Executive Director called and asked me to come to Austin. They were meeting with my state senator, Troy Fraser, concerning legislation in the upcoming session. When we walked in the door of Mr. Fraser’s office in the capitol, I was towards the back of the group. Mr. Fraser basically ignored the lobbyist and others accompanying me and said, “Larry, we have been talking about you today.” As shocked as everyone else in the room, I said, “Well, Senator Fraser, I hope that is a good thing.” He responded, “Would you still like to be on the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners?” I responded, “If you think I am qualified and will do a good job, Senator, I will be happy to serve.” Senator Fraser turned to a staff member and said, “Please call the governor and recommend Dr. Montgomery.” I was notified shortly thereafter I was appointed and began serving as a TBCE board member in April of 2009. In my 7 ½ years of service, I was elected secretary for two years. I served on the Enforcement Committee for four years, serving as Chairman for two of those years, then moved into the Chairmanship of the Rules Committee, until I was replaced, after not filing for reappointment. I am a big fan of term limits and 7 ½ years was enough.
During this time period, the TBCE underwent many changes, drastically reducing the number of Complaint files. There were cases which had been on the books for over 9 years when I arrived and during this time, complaint resolution occurred in less than one year. This was made possible by the addition of TBCE’s first in house attorney, as well as a mostly cohesive group of board members.
Since my exit as a member of TBCE’s board, I have continued to attend TCA district meetings, as I love seeing the new young doctors coming up and enjoy the information provided. I have utilized the knowledge which I gained on TBCE to teach continuing education hours for TCA. Usually the required 4 TBCE hours are pretty boring, and my goal is to garner real understanding of the purpose and meaning of the act and rules. I also want doctors to work within the framework of our act and rules and avoid having complaints filed on them. Additionally, I provide insight to the average field doctor who does not know the rare, terrible cases TBCE members encounter. When they learn the basics of some of these cases, they understand more of the actions of TBCE.
It is an honor to join the distinguished doctors who have received the Keeler Plaque. I have never considered the time involved with the Texas Chiropractic Association and Chiropractic profession to be anything more than the right thing to do. As a group, if we can continue to work together, we can achieve our rightful position among health care professionals. In my opinion, Chiropractic’s position should be, to become the primary choice for patients seeking spinal care, health and wellness.
