Francis L. French

Francis L. (Frank) French Francis L. (Frank) French, 83, passed away on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007 at a Boise hospital. A memorial service will be held on Monday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Hillcrest Congregation Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall, 9855 W. Amity Rd., Boise. Services under the direction of Aclesa Funeral Home. Francis LeRoy French was born on April 12, 1924 in Mulberry, Kan. to Iris Marguerite Ward French and Francis Marion French. Frank grew up in Kansas City, Mo. Upon graduating from Westport high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was selected for the Marine Elite "Raiders" Special Forces. While he was enlisted he won the Gold Medal in the Capital Decathlon. Shortly after his honorable discharge, at the end of W.W. II, Frank was introduced to a cute little brunette, Betty Lou Haupt on March 9, 1946. He knew immediately that she was "the one" for him! Frank and Betty were married on June 23, 1946. A son and daughter were born of this marriage. Frank worked for General Motors starting out driving a fork lift and crane. His strong work ethic, organizational and leadership skills and his unique abilities with people advanced Frank up the corporate ladder (while attending University), to the position of General Foreman and Material Director. This position allowed him to oversee the opening of the Freemont, Calif. plant near San Jose, Calif., where he retired from the company after over 30 years of service. Not long after his retirement, Frank and Betty moved back to the Kansas City area to be near family. In 1996, they moved to Boise to be near their son and his family. Frank was an active member of the Jehovah's Witnesses in California, Missouri and Idaho, holding many positions including Elder and Presiding Overseer. Frank loved life and could find humor in nearly all situations. He never met a stranger and was always a favorite at his regular stores and restaurants with his jokes and general conversation. Frank had a passion for the outdoors, particularly hunting, fishing, camping and guns. He was a highly competitive pinochle player, which was the cause of many a "feud" between him and Betty - but they would always "make-up" before bedtime! Frank is survived by his wife, Betty, his son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Jan French of Boise, his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Darrell Klein of Gilman City, Mo. Also nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Elmer and Joan Haupt and their children and a half-sister, Judy French Lewis of Knoxville, Tenn. Many good friends in Missouri, California and Boise, especially Renae Jordan, who helped his son care for him the last few years of his life, and the Jehovah's Witness Hillcrest congregation. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Trevor McCord French. A special thanks to Linda Graham of Four Rivers Hospice for her loving care that went above and beyond the call of duty.