Ardith Hayden Porter

Hayden Porter, 94, of Decker, Montana, died in an accident on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Thousand Hills Ranch northeast of Decker, Montana. Hayden rolled his four-wheeler while doing one of the things he enjoyed most, checking on the water for the cattle.

Hayden was born on September 4, 1929, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Bert H. and Edith A. Porter. He was raised on the homestead in Montana with his sister, Margie, and brother, Harvey. His mother was his teacher for grades first through eighth in one-room schools, Pine Butte, and Waddle Creek. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1946. He married Nancy Alexander, on August 24, 1957, in Kokomo, Indiana.

Hayden served overseas in Japan as an ordnance instructor for the Eight Army and Far Eastern Command during the Korean War. After the Army, Hayden attended Moody Bible Institute, where he met Nancy. Hayden also earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Montana State University.

Hayden was a husband, father of three children, rancher, pastor, teacher, and missionary. Hayden and Nancy were missionaries in Alaska for four years. Hayden served as the pastor of Dry Creek Bible Church, Decker Berean Church, and Big Horn Community Church. He was a professor at the Montana Institute of the Bible and a teacher at various public and private schools in Montana and Wyoming. He will be missed by many people.

Later in life, Hayden built a model of Noah’s Ark to scale. He and Nancy ministered in hundreds of churches and schools in a five-state region. His grandchildren enjoyed helping him set up the display. He wrote books, numerous articles, and personal letters. He was a representative for Steer, Inc. Hayden shared the gospel of Jesus Christ in a multitude of ways.

Hayden enjoyed his sheep, cattle, and domestic animals. He liked to farm and ride horseback. He was a member of the Big Horn County Soil Conservation District. Throughout his life, he tendered to God’s creation.

Hayden was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nancy, daughter Janelle, sister Margie (Jess) Thomas, brother Davis (infant) and Harvey (Fra), and nieces Linda (Roger) Nicholas and Leah (Artie) Shaw. He is survived by his son, Bruce Porter of Decker, Montana, daughter, Amy (Dennis) Krutsinger, grandchildren, Amanda Jo, Ethan, and Emily Krutsinger all of Mahomet, Illinois. His nephew Larry (Linda) Thomas, great nieces, Susanne (Brett) Krout and Sheryl (Bob) Barker, great nephew Dustin (Tiffany) Shaw, great-great nephews Dylan (Kiley) and Wyatt Shaw, Zachery (Amber) and Ryan Barker, Stanton Harper, and Jess Thomas; and great-great nieces Jessica Foster and Jennifer Krout.

A Celebration of Hayden’s life will be held on June 8, 2024, at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery in Sheridan, Wyoming at 11 am with a luncheon following.

Memorials to honor Hayden may be sent to Rainbow Bible Ranch, 14676 Lone Tree Rd, Sturgis, S.D. 57785; Steer Inc., 1025 N 3^rd St. Bismarck, ND 58501; or Dry Creek Bible Church, 8465 Dry Creek Rd., Belgrade, MT 59714. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.