Irvin Wilson French 1915-2001

FRENCH, JONES, BUTLER, RISNER, OLSON, PATTERSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/13/2017 at 14:27:22

Irvin Wilson French, 85, of Longview, Washington died Feb. 20, 2001, at a local nursing home. He was born Dec. 9, 1915, in Estherville, Iowa, to Royal Eli and Emma Jane (Patterson) French and grew up there. He lived in Cherokee, Iowa, Duluth, Minn., and Chippewa Falls, Wisc., prior to moving to Longview in July 1963.

Mr. French worked as the paint department manager for Montgomery Wards for 40 years, retiring in 1980. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kelso and the Kelso Elks. He enjoyed his beach property in Ocean Park, fishing, hunting, woodworking and camping with his family. He built the best campfires.

He married Virginia May Olson March 9, 1940, in Estherville. She survives him at home. Also surviving are a son, Gerald French of Edmonds, Wash.; two daughters, Cheryl Risner and Jacqueline French, both of Longview; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church of Kelso with the Rev. Robert Henre officiating. Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.