James Dalbec

James L. JD Dalbec, of Great Falls, died on February 22, 2012 at Benefis of natural causes.Cremation has taken place and graveside services will take place at a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.JD was born August 11, 1939 in Butte, Montana to Vernon and Elaine (Collins) Dalbec. He attended school in Lewistown, Great Falls and Shelby High School. JD was a pitcher with the American Legion Baseball Allstars and attended Browns Institute in Minneapolis, MN. He served in the US Army from 1957 until 1962.He worked in radio in Libby, Anaconda, Shelby and Great Falls and TV in Great Falls. He was a sports fan and active in organizing the Steinhaus softball tournaments for Special Olympics.JD is survived by his brothers Joe (Geraldine Gunlickson) Dalbec of Miles City and Keith (Patricia Nichols) Dalbec of Hendersonville, NC; sister Maryann (Greg) Axtman of Canyon Ferry Lake; special uncle & aunt Floyd & Floy Collins of Butte; nieces Shannon of Miles City, Kim Claasson of Bozeman; nephews Richard Pacot of Billings, Tim Dalbec of Parker, CO, Dustin Axtman of New York, NY, Darak Axtman and Marchelle Springer, both of Bozeman and Ashley Axtman of Missoula; 8 grandnieces and nephews as well as many cousinsMemorials are suggested to Montana Highway Patrol Hope Project, PO Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604.