Montana
Morgan Richard 'Dick' Stotts, 81
Morgan Richard “Dick” Stotts, 81, of Kalispell, passed away peacefully at Logan Health Medical Center on Dec. 28, 2024. After years of living with multiple myeloma, he finally decided to courageously take, “the fight to it,” and won and is now reunited with the love of his life, Lorraine.
Dick was the third child born to Morgan and Allene Stotts on Aug. 4, 1943, in Kalispell. He attended Elrod and Cornelius Hedges Elementary Schools, Central Junior High School and graduated from Flathead County High School with the Class of 1961. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Hawaii and Germany. He was trained as a court reporter which served him well later in life.
He attended the University of Montana for a short time before starting with the Kalispell Police Department in September of 1967. The summer before, when looking for an apartment, he talked to Moose Miller who remodeled space above his saloon (Moose’s) for Dick as he figured it was good to have a policeman close by.
Dick married Lorraine Faye “Tutu” Crick in 1968, and they had two boys, Bob and Craig. After Dick retired from the KPD, he started his own polygraph business that he continued to operate until around 2020. He loved his time as a Mason and Shriner where he rose through their ranks with his brothers, Jim and Mike, and with the guidance of their father Morgan.
Dick could never find something he wouldn’t try to tackle. Upon retiring in 1987, he continued as a polygraph examiner, a newspaper owner/partner and the founder of the state’s first home arrest business. All in addition to serving the National Guard as a warrant officer and being a husband and father. Dick recruited his son Bob to work beside him for about 30 years. He also watched proudly as his son, Craig rose in the ranks through his own law enforcement career and now, after his retirement, continues his service as a polygraph examiner.
Dick and Lorraine never stopped “doing” for loved ones. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for someone they cared about and/or even strangers in need. They loved camping with friends and family, attending sporting events, skiing, golfing and all Montana had to offer except when winter came and a quick trip to Hawaii rejuvenated them and offered more. They loved the many trips to Hawaii with friends and family over the years.
He loved golfing with his family and especially his grandchildren Brandon, Zachary, Brinlee, Ben and Shelby. He was the first to concede that their natural ability might have come from him?
Dick enjoyed golfing with his buddies and being instrumental in starting the “Sixty-One Open and Social” which brought together FCHS classmates and friends for a mini reunion every year.
Dick is survived by his sons, Bob and Kristi (Zachary and Ben) and Craig and Val (Brandon, Brinlee, and Shelby); numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law, Cliff Crick (Vicki), and Tom (Marlene); and sister-in-law, Adeline Stotts.
Dick always said that he would patiently wait his turn and was preceded in death by many friends and family: Lorraine “Tutu,” whom he couldn’t fathom a life without; brothers, Jim and Mike; sister, Marschell; and parents, Morgan and Allene. Our hearts are filled with a combination of sadness and joy as we remember them.
Graveside services will be held at the Conrad Memorial Cemetery on July 26, 2025, in time for one last reunion and golf outing with friends.
Please consider making a donation in Dick’s name to Shriners Children’s Spokane, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA, 99204, or go online to www.shinerschildrens.org.
Darlington Cremation and Burial Service of Kalispell is caring for the family.
HELENA, Mont. — Montana’s 2026 primary election ballot is taking shape after a busy candidate filing period that drew hundreds of hopefuls.
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and the Montana election team finalized the list of candidates after 380 total candidates filed between Feb. 17 and March 4. Of those candidates, 19 withdrew from their races.
Six independent candidates are still waiting to qualify via petition before being added to the general election ballot.
The following was sent out by the Office of the Montana Secretary of State:
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and the Montana Election Team have completed ballot certification for Montana’s 2026 Primary Election, finalizing the list of candidates who will appear before voters on Tuesday, June 2.
Pursuant to Montana law, county election administrators certify local candidates for the primary ballot in their respective counties, while the Secretary of State’s Office certifies the names and designations of statewide and state district candidates, including candidates for federal, legislative, and certain judicial offices.
The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices (COPP) notified the Secretary of State’s Office and the county election administrators of any candidate(s) whose name(s) may not appear on the ballot pursuant to Montana law.
“The ballot certification process is a key step in ensuring Montana’s elections are accurate, secure, and transparent,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “I’m grateful to our state election officials and the county election administrators and their teams across the state for their hard work preparing for the 2026 Primary Election.”
A total of 380 candidates filed with the Secretary of State’s Office during the candidate filing period (Tuesday, February 17 – Wednesday, March 4). Several candidates withdrew from their respective races, while Independent candidates are pending petition requirements to qualify for the general election ballot.
Filings with the Secretary of State’s Office included:
- United States Senator: Twelve total candidates filed for the office, though one withdrew and one is pending petition requirements. Five Democrats, three Republicans, and two Libertarians will appear on Montanans’ Primary Election ballots. One Independent candidate must meet Montana’s petition requirements.
- United States Representative: Sixteen total filings in the 1st and 2nd Congressional races.
- 1st Congressional (MT-01) Ten candidates submitted paperwork for the Congressional seat – four Democrats, four Republicans, and one Libertarian. One Independent candidate must meet petition requirements. The incumbent did not file for re-election.
- 2nd Congressional (MT-02) Six candidates submitted filing paperwork, including the incumbent, who is the lone Republican to file for the race. Three Democrats and one Libertarian filed, while one Independent also submitted their paperwork for the race and is pending petition requirements.
- Public Service Commission: Seven candidates will appear on the ballot for the two PSC seats.
- PSC District 1: Two Republicans and one Democrat will appear before voters for the open seat.
- PSC District 5: The incumbent is one of three Republicans to file for the seat, while one Democrat also filed.
- Supreme Court Justice: Two candidates filed for the Supreme Court Justice No. 4 race – Judge Dan Wilson was the first to file for Montana’s high court, and Judge Amy Eddy followed suit later the same day.
- District Court Judge: Thirteen candidates submitted filings, including several judges currently on the bench.
- Legislature: The majority of candidate filings were for Legislative seats, where 329 total filings were submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office, nearly 130 of which came on the opening day.
- Montana State Senate: Sixty-six candidates qualified for the 2026 Primary Election, including more than 10 incumbents.
- Montana State House: A total of 235 candidates qualified for the 2026 Primary Election. Three Independent candidates are pending petition requirements. Dozens of incumbents filed for re-election.
For more information, visit the candidate filing page on the Secretary of State’s website at https://sosmt.gov/elections/filing/.
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