James Dale "D.G." Genius

1939 - 2016

James Dale "D.G." Genius

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for James Dale Genius at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church with Rev. Chad Partain and Rev. Jose Robles-Sanchez officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, November 21, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a recitation of the Holy Rosary in the Kramer Chapel, at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

James Dale Genius, 77 of Alexandria, passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at CHRISTUS Cabrini Hospital.

Dale was born on October 9, 1939 to James Winston Genius and Crena Tullos in Alexandria. At the age of 15, Dale obtained a private pilot's license for sea plane or float planes in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. This became just the beginning of many achievements in Dale's life. In 1959, at the age of 20 he became a radio announcer at KREH, and in 1960 he became an Electronics Engineer.

His communication career took him all over, working in Galveston, Texas, Petersburg, Virginia, Little Rock, Arkansas, Monroe, LA, Jena, LA, and of course, Alexandria, LA, where the majority of his work was done. Dale's T.V. and radio career spanned from 1959 to 1979. Dale became the first host of the long running KALB News Channel 5 morning show, Jambalaya. He was the program director at KDBS, held several positions at the old KSYL, and was a newsman and special events manager for KLAX-T.V. For ten years, he volunteered his time in the St. Jude Radio-thon on KSYL. Dale's T.V. career gave him the opportunity to be involved in the Central Louisiana Little Theatre, acting and directing a number of plays throughout the 1970's.

In late 1979, he and his wife Claris decided to go into the antique business. They traveled all over the world and United States, maintained an online antique shop and were active in the national antique circuit until about 2004, when Dale accepted the position of Director of the Louisiana History Museum.

Upon accepting the director position, Dale's main interest was preserving the history of Alexandria, LA and the rich heritage of Central Louisiana. He devoted his life, especially the last 12 years, for our city and its fantastic history. Dale authored a history of Alexandria book, based on postcards of Alexandria's past, called What once Was, A postcard history of Alexandria, LA. He produced several DVD programs on Central Louisiana historic buildings and Alexandria's history that are still running on cable channel 4 today. He established several websites, including one devoted to the history of the Hotel Bentley, and a website for the Louisiana History Museum. Dale appeared on the History Channel's Cajun Pawn Stars as an antique expert. He also wrote articles for the CENLA Focus for the past 4 years.

Dale was a parishioner and lector at Cabrini Catholic Church. He won several Civic Club awards for his continued service to the community.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Colleen Nicole Genius.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include his wife of 39 years, Claris Estes Genius of Alexandria; children, James Branchard Genius and his wife Pauline of Lake Charles, Rusty Lachney and his companion, Rebecca of Boyce, Roland Lachney of Alexandria; and Deirdre Lachney and her companion John of Elmer; 10 grandchildren, Sandi, Jacob, James Henry, Brittany, Mandy, Dusty, Renee, Damien, Brandy and Mathew. ; 22 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Louisiana History Museum at 503 Washington St, Alexandria, LA 71301.

To extend online notes of condolence to the Genius Family, please visit www.KramerFunerals.com.