James Drace

Former Libby resident James Arthur Drace, 79, died surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 1, 2005, at his home near Columbia Falls.

He was born on Aug. 17, 1925, at Stanley, Wis., to Arthur and Lillian Drace.

Jim served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946.

He met Arlys Basacker in Oakland, Calif., and they were married in 1948.

Arlys died in 1999.

Jim worked for Butler Manufacturing at San Pablo, Calif., for many years, retiring and moving to Montana in 1972.

He worked for Plum Creek until retiring in 1992.

He met Alberta Woods, an old friend, again in 1999 and they were married in September that year.

An avid outdoorsman, Jim loved hunting, huckleberry picking and fishing, especially ice fishing in the winter on Bitterroot Lake.

Survivors include his wife Alberta at the family home; daughters Susan Keller, Columbia Falls and Virginia Madill and her husband Gerald of Libby; son James and his wife Cricket Drace, Shelby; step-sons Brian and his wife Sue Basacker, Rick and his wife Teressa Basacker and Tom and his wife Sue Basacker, all in California; six grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is being held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls followed by inurnment in Fairview Cemetery and a gathering at Glacier Lanes.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to the Home Options Hospice in Kalispell in Jim's name.

Arrangements are under care of Columbia Mortuary.