LESTER D (JIM) BASHAM

Lester D. “Jim” Basham, 81, died on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at his home in Libby of natural causes with his family at his side.  He was born on July 5, 1938 in Libby to Harold and Bessie Basham.  He attended school in Troy until the 10th grade, and then he enlisted in the US Navy in 1955.  He spent 4 years on a destroyer, the USS Pritchett.  He was out of the military for 10 years and then joined the SeaBees in 1970 until being honorably discharged in 1972.  He received his GED while in the Navy.

Jim married Leona Hale in 1960 and they divorced in 1972.  He worked in the woods for 40 years as a dozer operator building logging roads.  He enjoyed woodworking, fixing broken things and loved hunting, fishing and camping.  He married Irene Wick in 1976.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter Jeannette McCarley.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Irene Basham, Libby; daughter Chris (Cliff) Hoerner, Libby; a brother Jay (Alma) Basham, Troy; sisters Nancy (Jim) Erhard, Libby; LesLee (David) Brinton, Helena; stepson Richard Wick, Superior, MT; 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2020 at Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2020 at funeral home.  Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

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