Howard Hunter died October 14, 2026, in Billings following an extensive struggle with Parkinsons. Howard was born July 16, 1941, in Townsend, Montana, the son and eldest child of James (Jimmy) and Melba Hunter. Jimmy was an itinerant Methodist preacher and, as such, relocated quite often. The family lived in Clyde Park, Anaconda, and Dillon in Howard’s early years. The family moved to Miles City in 1948. Howard graduated from Custer County High School in 1959.

Following high school graduation, Howard spent a year at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and a year at Montana State University in Bozeman. In 1961, he enrolled in Rocky Mountain College in Billings. He graduated from Rocky in 1964 with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Religion. While at Rocky, Howard married Carol Clark. They had 2 children, divorcing in 1976.

Following his graduation from Rocky, Howard studied for 2 years at Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) and 2 years at Andover Newton Theological School (ANTS) in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. He graduated from Andover Newton in 1969 with a master’s degree in Sacred Theology. While at Rocky and CTS and ANTS, Howard served as part-time student pastor in several Methodist churches: Ashland, Huntley and Worden, Montana; Morgan Street Methodist in Chicago; Hatherly Methodist in Rockland, Massachusetts.

Following graduation from seminary in 1969, Howard returned to Montana to receive his first full-time appointment: Whitehall and Boulder. This appointment included part-time Protestant chaplain at the Boulder River school and Hospital. While living in Whitehall, Howard also served the Whitehall Christian Church for a year. In 1971, he was appointed to the United Methodist churches in Lovell and Deaver, Wyoming. He moved to Sidney, Montana (Lonsdale UMC) in 1973. In 1976, he was appointed to Christ UMC in Great Falls and Sand Coulee UMC. In 1977, Howard married Janice Kemmis Rozell of Sidney. Janice’s first husband, Marvin Rozell, died at an early age leaving her with 3 children (Kelly, Kim and Brian). Following their marriage, Howard adopted the children.

In 1978, the family moved to Columbia Falls, where they lived for 12 years. While serving the Columbia UMC, Howard was elected to 2 three-year terms on the Columbia Falls school board. He was vice-chair for 1 year and chair for 2 years.

Howard was appointed to the Laurel UMC in 1990, and the following year (1991) as senior pastor at Billings First UMC. In 2001, Bishop Warner Brown selected him to serve on the Yellowstone Conference appointive cabinet as superintendent of the Northern Plains District. In this role, Howard supervised 40 churches and 25 pastors. He also functioned as Director of Connectional Ministries of the Yellowstone Conference from 2001-2004. In 2004, Howard represented the Yellowstone Conference at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In 2004, Howard was appointed as half-time pastor of the Fort Benton UMC, while continuing as half-time superintendent of the Northern Plains district. He retired in 2007, continuing as half-time pastor in Fort Benton until 2011.

In 2011, Howard and Janice moved back to Billings, where they lived until Howard’s death. In the fall of 2014, the district superintendent asked Howard if he would serve the Miles City UMC (the church he had grown up in) for a period of time following the current pastor who was undergoing some serious health issues. He readily accepted the invitation and spent 6 months (November 2013 through April 2014) as their pastor.

Howard is survived by his wife Janice of Billings; daughter Kelly (Jeff) Dunlap of Snohomish, WA; Kim (Ray) Shill of Spokane, WA; son Brian (Chris) Hunter of Billings; daughter Deby Leroux and son Jim Hunter both of Florida; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister Jami (Dennis) Cook of St. Paul, MN.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Howard’s life will be held Saturday, January 2, 2027. Additional details will be shared in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Luccock Park United Methodist Camp at 263 Luccock Park Rd, Livingston MT 59047.