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.