James Albracht

1950 - 2025

James Albracht

October 22, 1950 - December 9, 2025

James Dale Albracht, 75, of Overland Park, KS, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy both on and off the air.

Born on October 22, 1950 in Bloomington, IL, Jim was the beloved son of Sylvester and Evelyn Albracht. His passion for radio started from when he was a young boy listening to KSTT while doing the dishes, dreaming of one day being a disc jockey. The first game he ever called was his own, in the driveway playing basketball outside his childhood home in Moline, IL. He didn't know it then, but it was the beginning of living his dream. He graduated Alleman High School in 1968 and briefly attended Western Illinois University before enlisting in the Airforce, where he was stationed in Korea.

Upon his discharge in 1974, he attended Black Hawk College and began his storied broadcasting career, moving through several small radio stations and gaining early experience calling high school basketball. His path included various roles in the region, where he refined his interviewing skills and eventually called his first Iowa games.

Jim jumped from radio to TV when he joined WQAD News Channel 8, first as their weekend sportscaster and "Active 8 at 5" show host, then in 1984 as their Sports Director, where he was scolded for occasionally throwing pencils at the camera at the end of the broadcast.

While Jim enjoyed his time on TV, his true passion was for radio. He hosted a morning show on KSTT, the same station he had listened to as a child, and eventually landed behind the mic at WOC News Talk 1420. After a station restructuring in the mid 90s sent him off to Green Bay, WI where he worked at WNFL and experienced his first Packers Superbowl in 1997, he eventually returned to WOC and hosted his popular "Albracht in the AM" morning show until 2007. He also engaged WQAD viewers with his segment "According to Jim" and Dispatch readers with his written commentary during this time. He was the familiar play-by-play voice for the Quad Cities Steamwheelers and the pre-and-post game host for the Iowa Hawkeye Radio Network until his retirement. After retiring, he moved to Overland Park, KS, where he dedicated his time to his health, family and friends.

Jim's motto when doing an interview on the air was always, "Ask questions about who they are, not what they do." His authentic, laid back and down-to-earth attitude was how he conducted interviews with Walter Payton, Stan Musial, Michael Jordan, Billie Jean King and Tom Izzo, just to name a few. Whether a famous sports celebrity or the neighbor next door, Jim treated everyone he met equally, always hoping to make them laugh. His ability to be well-read, well-researched and well-spoken made him a true broadcasting legend in the Quad Cities, and his unmatched humor and larger-than-life personality made him an unforgettable person.

It would be impossible to capture Jim's personality on a single page, or frankly, a single book. He was kind, hilarious, witty, creative and selfless, always willing to drop everything to help someone in need. Jim never met a stranger and had more close friends than anyone could count. Jim did not want to be known as a man who was limited to small talk; he was an intellectual and a philosopher in his own right. He introduced himself to others under the assumption that every person he met had something to teach him. A devoted family man and loyal friend, he loved traveling, a Packers win, a good book, good bourbon and good music. Most of all, he cherished his deep, late-night conversations with the love of his life, Meredith.

Jim's favorite place was being at the lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, but he was just as happy spending time at home with his grandchildren or relaxing with his beloved cats, Frankie and Fifi. And if he wasn't with his grandchildren, you could probably find him at the gym, his favorite coffee shop, cruising through the streets of Kansas City in his black Camaro, or taking in a deep breath on the deck to soak in the life he was so grateful for each day. When asked during an interview in 2025 how he would be remembered in his obituary, he said, "I just want to make people laugh."

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Meredith, who he married on September 23, 1988. He is also survived by his daughters, Lauren (Eric) VanSpeybroeck, Bettendorf, IA, Marissa (Cameron) Mathson, Prairie Village, KS, Madison Albracht, Overland Park, KS, his grandchildren, Paige, Quinn, Reese, Cooper and Brady, his sisters Janie Albracht of Moline, IL, Ann (Kent) Linenfelser of Venice, Florida and dozens of Albracht cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kings Harvest Pet Rescue or KC Pet Project. An announcement with details about his celebration of life, to be held in the Quad Cities after the holidays, will be shared soon.