Daniel James Bain, 62

Daniel James Bain, 62, “departed this world” Wednesday, June 25, 2014, of natural causes. 

He was born June 30, 1952, in Kalispell to Louie and Betty Bain.

Throughout his life on earth, Dan was a man of gifting, serving and educating others. He was a historian, an athlete, a hacker (golf), a chess player and loved to study the Bible. In many ways, Dan was a male Mother Teresa, as he would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed help, even though he had few shirts to give. He really loved and enjoyed children and had a unique way of talking “kid talk” and engaging them in joyful play and conversation. He was famous for remembering history and facts and loved to converse with people regarding the traditions and history of the Flathead Valley, its institutions, people and sports. But even more important, Dan was a dedicated father and grandfather.  His greatest joy came from his children and grandchildren. In short, Dan was a kind, gentle, loving and generous man who lived life well, without material trappings, and loved and trusted the God he served.

Dan grew up in Evergreen in the heart of beautiful Flathead Valley with a football in one hand and a basketball in the other. At an early age, Dan was diagnosed with a severe case of rheumatic fever in the form of a leaky heart valve and atrial fibrillation, and he was unable to do any physical activity. The damage to his heart would show up again years later and shorten his life. Dan clung hopefully like an eager puppy dog to those two favorite articles, as he could only watch his brothers play football and basketball from his prison of a large crib. Dan was surrounded by a family of athletes. There were three older athletic brothers, Frank, Ron and Doug, as well as a younger athletic brother, Scott, and a wicked athletic sister, Mary Kay. Mary Kay, along with her friend Suzy Erickson, were determined to rehabilitate and train Dan until he became as efficient as brother Frank at zigzagging and faking would-be tacklers out of their proverbial pants. With paint and hammers, they turned the Bain front lawn into a football field and the Bain backyard into a basketball court, where only daring gladiators dared tread. Once Dan was released from his prison he began an unlikely (against all odds) journey of overcoming his heart problems and becoming an extremely talented athlete. This, of course, was due to the coaching and coaxing of his two trainers, Mary Kay and Suzy, who were destined to become talented athletes as well.   

Given Dan's grim medical diagnosis, who could have possibly envisioned that Dan would go on to become a high school Class AA, all-state football and basketball player, not to mention his state medals in track and field? Furthermore, who would have ever believed he would develop into a star guard who, along with his friends Brent Wilson and Sam McCullum, would capture the State AA basketball championship for the Flathead Braves! Danny received the prestigious Koford Award which was rarely presented to the most outstanding athlete in Flathead High School. This was a profoundly significant award as it was not presented during many years because of the highly restrictive qualifications. The recipient of this award must have received at least nine letters in sports, been named to an all-state position in two sports, and maintained at least a B+ average in academics.  

Dan won a scholarship to play football for the University of Montana Grizzlies where two brothers, Frank and Doug, had played. Dan was a standout on the Grizzly freshman football team where he played defensive back; however, due to a career-ending back injury, he was no longer able to compete. 

Later in life, his love and knowledge of sports and history manifested itself into his becoming a talented writer, publishing many articles. In recent years he has been the editor for the sports program of Flathead High School, and later on, both Flathead High School and Glacier High School. Dan and Frank Thomas (Thomas Printing) were well known for producing the best, most inclusive, most informative and amazing sports program of any high school in the U.S.A. With the loss of Dan, a plethora of cherished history and traditions stored in his brain will be lost as well.

Dan absolutely loved the game of golf. He had a special fondness of the movie “Bagger Vance” and often thought, “What a good way to leave Earth.” You could often find him on the course with his father Louie or with Ron, and even by himself, practicing for the U.S. Open championship, of which he was never quite good enough to qualify. His favorite time playing golf was just before sunset on the 18-hole course of Buffalo Hills where he could look out over the beautiful valley to the majestic Blaine and Mission mountains. He loved the “feel and smell” of this moment and did not want it to end. Dan would pause and take a long look back while savoring the God-given beauty of the moment. He would “etch” this moment into his memory and seemed to know there would come a day when he would not be able to return. In retrospect, he lived his life that way — looking back at the panorama and savoring the moments spent with family, friends and loved ones, knowing that one day these moments would also end. Dan could only pray and wish his family and friends would understand and cherish the precious times together as much as he did. 

Dan felt his greatest gift and blessing in life was his children Craig and Cara, and he felt the earth would be a better, kinder place because of them. Dan's enjoyment of his children was exceeded by one last, great gift, grandchildren. Dan was always so proud, grateful and honored to be involved in their lives.  Dan fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the faith. He loved deeply and will be missed greatly.

He leaves behind his son, Craig Bain and KellySue of Whitefish; daughter, Cara Kennedy and John of Missoula; grandchildren, Mirrer, Patience and Lux Bain of Whitefish, and Dylan Dyss, Aleena and Clara Kennedy of Missoula; brothers, Frank and wife Barb of Oregon, Ron and wife Bonnie of Kalispell, and Doug and wife Vivian of Oregon; and sister, Mary Kay and husband Paul of Columbia Falls.  

A celebration of Dan's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 30 at Kalispell Christian Center.