Charles Ludvik 'Chuck' Racicot

Charles Ludvik “Chuck” Racicot passed away from esophageal cancer on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, at his home in Libby. Chuck was born to Johanna “June” Ludvikson Racicot and Victor Racicot on March 4, 1935, six minutes after the birth of his twin brother James.

Chuck grew up in Libby and attended Libby Public Schools. In 1952 he and his brother Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After he was honorably discharged in 1956, Chuck lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he met and married June Barrow. They had one son, Greg. They later divorced.

When Chuck returned to Montana, he met Sharon Brown, the love of his life. In 1980, they left Libby in the middle of a snowstorm in December and slipped and slid all the way to the California border. They settled in Santee, California, where they married and lived for the next 20 years.

A lifelong Democrat, Chuck was a life member of the Libby Masonic Lodge No. 85 and also a member of the Kootenai Valley Shrine Club. Ever a supporter of the blue-collared worker, Chuck was proud to be a member of the AFL-CIO, Local 1334. During his 25 years with the union, he worked not only on a variety of Montana’s large building projects but also on major works in the San Diego area. He then became a Realtor. In recent years, Chuck had a small golf business where he provided clubs for both beginners and seasoned golfers.

In 2000, Chuck and Sharon became snowbirds, spending their summers in Libby and winters in Santee. Chuck had a passion for golf and was an avid golfer. Many mornings found him playing golf on one of his favorite courses, the Cabinet View Golf Club in Libby. Even when Chuck was not playing a round, his red golf cart could be seen going from green to green as he repaired divots and picked up broken golf tees.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Tony Reid and Dr. Danny Simpson, Chuck’s oncologist and radiologist, at UCSD Moores Cancer Center in San Diego, California, for their excellent care and loving attention and to thank Hospice of Libby also for their support during the last weeks.

His parents, his sister Lorraine, and his twin brother Jim preceded him in death.

Chuck is survived by his wife Sharon, his son Greg (Nancy) of Lexington, Kentucky, his brother David Stephenson (Carole Anne) of Libby, sister Linda Braley (Gene) of Libby, and numerous nieces and nephews.

At Chuck’s request, no formal services are planned. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children — Spokane, 911 West 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204; the Kootenai Pets for Life, P.O. Box 1454, Libby, MT 59923; or the Cabinet View Golf Course Equipment Fund, P.O. Box 1562, Libby, MT 59923.

Chuck’s ever-present smile and unique Racicot sense of humor will be missed.