John France (1934-2022)

FRANCE, SPEARS, HAGER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/24/2022 at 16:08:33

John Lyle France age 88 of Sioux Falls, passed away Saturday April 16, 2022. A private family burial with military honors will be at a later date. Cards may be sent to Miller Funeral Home 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 and they will be forwarded to the family.

John L. France was born on April 17, 1934 in Ellis, SD to Clair and Velda France. He graduated from Washington High and then entered the United States Air Force serving from 1952 until 1956. After his active duty he returned to the area and began serving in the Air Guard until 1966. Also during this time he was employed as a civilian in the Air National Guard in the Radar Department.

John moved to Colorado in 1966 where he became a Denver motor cycle Police Officer. While in Denver he met the love of his life Sandra; and they were married on April 17, 1971.

John was a very ambitious and adventurous man. The couple traveled from Colorado to Minnesota; South Dakota, Missouri and Texas following their dreams. From motor cycle police to a small-town police chief, to dairy farmer and owner operator, trucking oil pipeline in Houston. After retiring they would summer in Elkton, SD where they had a beautiful acreage. John always was an animal lover and had so much fun puttering outside with his many dogs, sheep, chickens and some many interesting pets in between. He always had a new project going on.

John loved his dogs; always with them by his side. He passed with his dog Kenzie on his lap and the love of his life Sandy by his side. John was a caring, loving and devoted husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa. He was fondly called senior Rompa by his great grandkids.

John’s survivors include his loving wife of 52 years; his son Jeff (Josie) France, Crosby, TX, daughter, Debbie (Harold) Spears, Anderson, MO, sons, Scott (Lori) Hager, Cologne, MN, Russ (Julie) Hager, Sioux Falls, SD, son John Jr. (Melissa) France, West Melbourne, FL; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; sisters in-law, Ann France and Nila France, of Sioux Falls, and Marilyn Fitzpatrick, Chickasha, OK and his baby girl Kenzie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Glen and Lloyd France and brother in-law Richard Fitzpatrick.