James Arthur Drace, 79, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2005, at his home near Columbia Falls, surrounded by his loving wife, Alberta, and his children.

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

Jim served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He met Arlys Basacker in Oakland, Calif. They were married in 1948. Arlys passed away in 1999.

Jim worked for Butler Manufacturing in San Pablo, Calif., for many years. He retired from there and moved to Montana in 1972. He went to work for Plum Creek and retired from there in 1992.

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

Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He love hunting, huckleberry picking, and especially ice fishing on Bitterroot Lake in the winter.

Jim is survived by his wife, Alberta, at the family home; his daughters, Susan Keller of Columbia Falls, and Virginia and Gerald Madill of Libby; a son, James and Crickett Drace of Shelby; three stepsons, Brian and Sue Basacker of California, Rick and Teressa Basacker of California, and Tom and Sue Basacker of California; six grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Inurnment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. There will be a get-together following the service at Glacier Lanes in Columbia Falls.

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