James Carlton Chance, 86, of Libby

James Carlton Chance, 86, died Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Libby Care Center. He was born Nov. 5, 1927 at Marcus Hook, Penn., to Joseph Edward and Hilda Chance. He was raised and educated in Philadelphia, and graduated from high school there.  

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for four years. He met Geneive Voreis in Mesa, Ariz., and they were married in Tucson on May 5, 1948. He was stationed in Spokane at Fairchild Air Force Base and then in Korea for one year during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and made a trip through northwest Montana. He moved his family to Troy in 1953. They moved to numerous places around the United States, and returned to Troy in 1967.

James worked for the Lincoln County Road crew in Troy until his retirement in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, keeping his yard immaculate, tending to his fruit trees and chasing bears off.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael James Chance, and brothers Donald, Stanley, Norman and Joseph.

Survivors include his wife Geneive Chance, Troy; children Jerry Lee Chance, Missoula; Tami Jo Reatz, Libby; Kimberly Joyce Cody, Troy; a sister Peggy Joyce Chance and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services were at 10 a.m. Monday, April 21 at Troy United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby.