Obituaries
A handsome cowboy rode into the herd with his well-worn felt hat, starched shirt, blue jeans and signature red bandana in his back pocket and cut his last cow. On May 22, 2026, Jonathan Foote passed away at his beloved ranch outside of Livingston, Montana.
Jon was born to Ray and Rosann (Lipe) Foote on May 30, 1935, in London, England, where his father was a colonel in the US Army during World War II. His family, when stateside, lived in New Jersey. Jon attended Eaglebrook School, Phillips Academy (Andover), Rhode Island School of Design and Yale University. He married Ann Webster in 1956, and had two children, Jonathan, Jr. and Timothy.
Jon graduated from Yale University’s School of Architecture in 1964 and founded the Environmental Design Group architecture practice in New Haven, Connecticut. He remarried in 1965 to Anna Hilterhaus and had two more children, Nathaniel and Anna. In 1976, following his second divorce, Jon sold his Connecticut farm, loaded two horses into a trailer and headed west to pursue his childhood dream of being a cowboy.
In 1978, Jon bought the T Square Ranch outside of Livingston. The house was built in 1906 and reflected much of Jon’s love for old, rustic buildings. He was drawn to old dude ranches, homesteads and log cabins. Inspired by his love and understanding of western landscapes and culture, he was a visionary as to the use of old buildings and materials for creating architectural designs. Many other architects and construction companies attempted to imitate Jon’s work, but none could ever quite measure up. Jon became a legend in the architectural world, but you would never know this judging by his scruffy cowboy attire and affection for dive bars.
Jon taught architecture at Montana State University for several years. His students adored him. Many of them eventually worked for him when, in 1979, he founded Jonathan Foote & Associates in Livingston, Montana. Eventually, the MSU Architecture Department named their staff conference room after him. He always joked that his contract with the University never required him to attend a staff meeting. In 2004, Jon’s teaching, career and character were recognized by MSU with the bestowing of an Honorary Doctorate.
In 1985, Jon married Jennifer Williams; they later divorced. In 1987, Jon founded On Site Management Construction. He was devoted to both companies and the people who worked for him. Jon was deeply respected and well-loved by his employees. He was cherished for his creativity, impeccable work product and listening skills.
Jon eventually married Kathy Reiser in 1993. They raised their daughter, Meghan, at T Square, and shared their love of horses, ranching, travel, sports, family and friends.
Jon and his close friend, Steve Claiborn, purchased Hunter’s Hot Springs Ranch in the late 1990s. Some of Jon’s greatest life experiences were on this ranch. He loved its beauty—the big Montana skies, huge pastures and roaring Yellowstone River—as well as the cattle. However, Jon suffered debilitating strokes in 2000 and 2001, and a Parkinson’s diagnosis in the mid-2000s. With his love of life, fierce determination, and Kathy and Meghan’s steadfast support, Jon made a remarkable recovery. Afterwards, Jon decided to drive around the ranch instead of riding horseback for long hours. On his sojourns, he loved to shoot gophers from his Ford Expedition. One day he came home with a bullet hole in the hood of his car. When Kathy asked him how it happened, he responded that a gopher had charged him and he had to shoot fast! Kathy and Jon laughed about it for days.
After moving west, Jon rode the cutting horse circuit in Wyoming and Montana. Over time, he channeled his incredible energy, support and networking abilities into improving the National Cutting Horse Association, as well as regional cutting horse associations. Jon was inducted into the NCHA Member’s Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2024, he received the prestigious NCHA Modine Smith Humanitarian Award.
Whether in cutting, tennis, golf, skiing, hockey, soccer, or even liar’s poker, Jon loved competition. He was a great friend to legions of people with his warm smile, endearing charm and genuine interest in every person he met. Who could ever forget his smile, sparkling eyes and bushy eyebrows? Jon never met a stranger, nor did he ever make an enemy. He was always curious, brilliant, kind, thoughtful, naughty and funny. He was a true leader, a great companion and an immense talent.
My cowboy… go catch Peppy or Barney and cut the toughest cow in the herd. You will hold it… you always did.
Jon is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Tim, Anna, Nathaniel (Pamela St. Clair) and Meghan (Matthew); his brothers, Ray (Penny Johnston Foote) and Geof Foote (Vanessa); daughters-in-law, Kerrie and Eliot; grandchildren Lindsey, Bowie, Whitney and Addison; numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews; and literally thousands of friends made along his journey.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Ray and Rosann; his son, Jonathan Foote, Jr.; and sisters-in-law, Anne Mueller Foote and Kathie Foote. A private memorial service will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the MSU School of Architecture.
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