Kent Howard Elliott, May 17, 1947-August 26, 2020. Kent was born in Blue Island, Illinois, the son of Franklin R. and Geraldine B. “Gerry” (Anderson) Elliott. He grew up in Illinois as a small child until the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington and later to Billings, Montana where he graduated from Billings West High School. Kent later graduated from Pacific University after a time as a VISTA volunteer in North Carolina.
Working at what was then Boulder River School and Hospital in Boulder, Montana as a conscientious objector during the Viet Nam War, he met the love of his life, Barbara Morgan, and they married on August 31, 1974. Their first two daughters, Sarah and Heather, were born while they continued to work at Boulder where Kent took on managerial roles. They lived in Minnesota while Kent attended United Theological Seminary, later returning to Montana where Kent served churches of the United Church of Christ in Baker, where their third daughter, Hannah, was born, and in Miles City.
The family later returned to Boulder and Kent became a United Methodist deacon to serve the church at Boulder, studying during the summer at Claremont School of Theology. He later served United Methodist churches at Buffalo, Wyoming and at Anaconda and Clancy in Montana, retiring in 2012.
Kent took great enjoyment, pride, and delight in his three daughters and his grandchildren and loved the family dogs more than he might have admitted. The family enjoyed camping trips and many other activities.
In retirement he turned to writing novels and short stories, and he enjoyed doing readings and selling his books at tables at fairs in the small towns of Montana that he loved. He established Wheatgrass Publishing to publish his and his father’s books. Especially in his final months after he was diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer, he enjoyed long phone conversations to catch up on a lifetime of friendships and family relationships he deeply appreciated.
Kent was dedicated to social justice, human rights and the common good, including the good of the earth, and his life exhibited a strong sense of integrity and compassion. He instilled strong values by example and in conversation with his children and grandchildren.
Kent is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Barbara.
He is survived by his three daughters, Sarah Elliott and partner Nik LaFournaise, Heather (John) Willoughby, and Hannah (Felix) Shepherd; grandchildren, Kylie Hanson, Beau Pierce, Gavin Pierce, Cashtyn LaFournaise, Olivia Willoughby, Ian Willoughby, Jacob Willoughby, and Siobhan Shepherd; sisters Lynn (Bob) Dixon, and Susan “Elli” Elliott; and nephews Alex (Beth) Dixon and Tommy (Caito) Dixon.
Kent died peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by his family. The family would like to thank the medical care staff of St. James Hospital in Butte for their kind attentiveness to him in his final days and the care staff of Big Sky Living Center for their kindness to Kent and Barb in their final months.
Memorials may be directed to any of the churches that Kent served and to organizations working for the justice and environmental causes that Kent supported. Kent would also be honored by your reading his books.
A memorial service and scattering of ashes will be held at a later date for Kent and Barb.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Kent. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Kent and his family.
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Brenda Wahler says
Kent and Barb were loving, caring, decent human beings who made the world a better place. We will miss you both.
Barbara Archer says
Kent had a quiet integrity. He was kind, wise, and was proud of and loved his family.
Janice Muniz says
My thoughts, love & prayers to Sarah, Nick ( Beau, Gavin & Cashtyn ) and all of the Elliot Family. May his memories hold dear in your hearts. Rest in peace with your beautiful wife Barb and continue to watch over your family.
Janice & Curly Muniz
Michele Franich says
Sarah and family, so sorry to hear this. I met your Dad at the author’s tent at the Boulder Music and Arts festival when I was selling my book. Such a nice quiet man. Deepest sympathies for you all.
Michele Franich
Bill McKnight says
Kent was a friend in college and earlier years. It was a pleasure to spend hours in conversation the last few months. We shared our lives twists and reminised about our college days. He was strong till his passing with a unique view of life. He will be missed.
Dawn (Dietz) Lee says
Sarah, Heather, Hannah, and families, I’m so sorry for all you’ve endured these last few months. Both Kent and Barb were so special to me and my family. Kent was a God-send to us after my dad’s head injury. He told us the paths we’d experience before we actually arrived at each! He even sat with dad allowing mom and me to continue to work. Barb…Barb was refreshing! Always knew where we stood with her! Her laugh was infectious! Both your parents had such warm and genuine hugs! It was fun to surprise them when we unexpectedly attended your dad’s ordination, and when we showed up in Boulder to visit all of you and attend church together again. I was sad when they moved from Baker. You three girls were the light in both your parent’s eyes!! I had never thought about your names much. When Hannah was born, Kent told me Sarah ended with a H; Heather started with H; and Hannah started AND ended with H! Hugs and prayers to all of you.
Henry Taly says
Dear Lynn and all your family,
God bless your brother and his wife, May they rest in peace.
I know it’s hard to lose your family members, my heart is with you. May you have fond memories of their lives with you.
Your friend Henry Taly
Sharon Grace says
Thoughts and prayers to the family. I so enjoyed his sermons and also his books. Take care💞.
Debbie Powley says
It was a pleasure to know both Kent and Barb not only as neighbors but at Big Sky Senior Living as well! They will be missed. My sympathy to the family💐
Terri Lunz says
Your parents were an example of fine service to their community. I enjoyed Kent’s sermons and our many talks. Lives well lived. It was an honor to know Kent as well as the love he demonstrated for Barbara.
Prayers and remember they may not be here but their memories carry on in all of you. Terri
Wendy McCall Johnson says
Oh man! Sarah Heather and Hannah and families , other than offering my condolences, all I can say is What a true testament to the pure LOVE AND DEVOTION Barb and Kent had for one another! To pass so closely of one another. Personally, I feel that’s love to the very end, and you’ll be watched over by the best!! Love you ladies! You’re in my thoughts and prayers….
Melanie Martin-Dent says
I got to know Kent as a colleague when we were both serving churches in Anaconda. I deeply appreciate his gentility spirit, his kindness his genuine concern for the well-being of all people. Peace to him in eternity and to all who were touched by his life.
Kate Huth says
I did not know Kent, but since I am a UMC member in the Boulder area, I mourn his loss & know he is with God now and at peace. I pray for his family to also find peace.
Barb Eveland says
I miss both Barb and Kent. We met in Anaconda , MT at the UMC church. My husband loved Sundays because he could spend time alone with Kent before church. My husband passed June 2019 and I expect that he is comforted by his old friend Kent.
I enjoyed learning about knee replacemrnts from Barb. She encouraged me with her strength and positive outlook.
Thank you sisters for sharing your family with us.
Barb Eveland
Anne Dobney says
I was so sorry to read of Kent’s passing. I knew him when he served at 1st Methodist Church in Anaconda. I remember him as a gentle man, but an outspoken advocate for social justice issues. When White Supremacist hate literature was distributed in Anaconda in 2005 I went to the Ministerial Association, hoping to get a joint response from the group. Although everyone at that meeting deplored the racist content, Kent was the only one present who knew that it was better to confront the issue, rather than ignore it in hopes that it would lose momentum and go away. When the Ministerial Association declined to make a joint response, Kent wrote a strong letter to the editor condemning the ideas in the literature and advocating for justice, equality, and love for all people. He became a charter member of the Anaconda Coalition for Tolerance Education (ACTE), and I enjoyed working with him as we continued to raise awareness about many social justice issues. In later years I was delighted to see him at Anaconda events selling his books, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.
With deepest sympathy and prayers for his family and friends,
Anne Dobney
Marian Geil says
Heartfelt sympathy to all the family in your double loss–first Barb, now Kent. I am so grateful that I have his books. He was a gifted writer as well as a sincere and much appreciated pastor at Anaconda Methodist Church.
Susan G McKinney says
My prayers are with you. I am very sorry for your losses. When Kent was Pastor in Anaconda, he truly made an enormous difference in my life and faith. I didn’t get to know Barb very well, but I saw a beautiful example of love in them together and with the family. I will always remember with love.
Lynn Elliott Dixon says
The more I hear from others and the more that memories of my brother Kent come to mind, the more I see what a good man he has been. Thank you, Anne Dobney, for your story of his social justice work. It is so good to know. I miss him. I miss the book he didn’t get to write. And I miss the fun we might have had over the next decade or so. I will treasure the many long talks we had in these last months.
Ellen Lappin says
Sarah, Heather, Hannah and families,
I was very sorry to read of Kent’s passing, and having been away for a month, was not aware that you had also recently lost your mother. My sympathy to all of you. We were grateful to have him as our pastor at Anaconda UMC.
Bill Meyers says
A well traveled journey, my friend of sixty years. You and Barb can now lie down together beside the still waters.