Harry Allen Haines, 87, quietly passed from this world to the next with his family at his side September 22, 2026 at St Patrick Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2026 at Garden City Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, if desired memorial may be made to the Missoula Symphony and Chorale.

Harry was born on May 30, 1939 in Missoula to parents, Millie and Jack Haines. He attended Paxson Grade School like his father. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood playing with the cousins in Bonner Park and roaming the neighborhood until his mother’s voice beckoned him home. He attended Missoula County High School graduating in 1957. In the summer of 1956 he was chosen by the American Field Service to spend the summer in the Netherlands as an exchange student. He was profoundly moved by the destruction still evident of WWII.

His summers were spent working at the Haines Wholesale Grocery stamping cigarettes and unloading freight cars. He received his undergraduate degree from St Olaf College in Northfield MN, his Juris Doctor from the University of Montana, and his Masters in Tax Law from New York University. While attending school, son Rob was born prematurely in December, joining big brother Eric born in April of the same year. Rob spent several months in the NICU. When Harry went to pay the bill, he was told it had been paid by the City of New York, for which he was exceedingly grateful.

Returning home he joined the law firm Worden, Thane where he practiced for 38 years. He also taught at the Law School. He taught tax law to tax professionals of all types and to the general public. In 2003 Senator Max Baucus recommended him to President George W. Bush who nominated him for a seat on the US Tax Court. For the next ten years he travelled the country for the Court. Never having aspired to be a judge, he took to it like a duck to water. He loved working on opinions with his clerks. Music was a huge presence in Harry’s life beginning with piano lessons from Mrs. Smith, whom he adored. He sang with the Missoula Symphony Chorale for many years and the church choir.

In his retirement, he worked on his book, This Side of Heaven, a history of Indian migration into North America. He was thrilled when he finished it while he was alive. Copies are for sale.

He enjoyed playing golf with his foursome, spending time at the family cabin on Flathead Lake, and attending lunch with his Sigma Chi brothers. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a loyal friend who touched the lives of everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janet and his brother Bill (Doris), sons Eric (Kim) and Rob (Chris), daughter Jeannie (Nate), granddaughters Sara (Hudson) and Becca, great granddaughter Josie, granddaughters Emma (Wams), Zoe, Aria, and Rowan, and grandsons Luke and Ben Haines.