Francis French

Francis Rush French ROANOKE - Francis Rush French of Roanoke passed away at home surrounded by loved ones Thursday, June 18, 2009. The Good Lord called him home as he fulfilled his role as protector and provider for 84 years and his job was completed. He was born March 9, 1925, in Clintwood, Va. He is survived by his three children, Charles R. French of Roanoke, Gregory W. French and wife Patricia of Virginia Beach and his daughter Terrie A. French of Roanoke; a brother, David French of Huntsville, Ala.; and a sister, Catherine French Stookey of Wood River, Ill. His surviving immediate family also includes two grandsons, Ryan B. French and Evan R. French of Virginia Beach and a dear friend and helper, Susan N. Connor of Rocky Mount, Va. Francis was preceded in death in March 2009 by his wife of 55 years, Violet W. French; his parents, G. Mark French, Esq. and Bessie Rush French of Clintwood, Va.; brothers, G. Mark French Jr., Charles G. French of Cheverly, Md., Calvin French of Nacogdoches, Texas; and sister, Florence A. French of Clintwood. Francis grew up in Clintwood where he learned many practical skills related to farming and coal mining. He often spoke of how tough it was growing up during the Great Depression, as it forever left a cautious mark upon him. During his adolescent summers, he and his brothers would spend their days working on one of his father's farms or driving timber or coal trucks carrying wood or coal from one of his father's properties. He graduated from Clintwood High School in 1941, having played on the school's varsity football and baseball teams. In 1943, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy and trained at the amphibious training base at Little Creek; after which he was deployed to the Pacific Theatre to participate in the fight against the Japanese Army and Navy. Francis' amphibious landing ship participated in the effort to recapture the Pacific Islands and saw military action at Okinawa and Hiroshima, as well as stops at Pearl Harbor, Manila Bay, Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. After the end of World War II, Francis attended college at the Norfolk division of The College of William & Mary (now known as Old Dominion University) for two years before transferring to Concord College in Bluefield, W.Va., where he graduated with a B.A. in business administration in 1950. While at Concord College, he met his future wife, Violet F. Ward, whom he married in 1952. They briefly lived in Radford, Va., before moving to Salem, Va., where he worked for General Electric Corporation for 31 years. He was a strong supporter of the local Andrew Lewis High School sports programs, as well as the University of Virginia where two of his children graduated. After retiring from General Electric, Francis enjoyed gardening and playing with the family dogs at his 12-acre "retirement" home in Roanoke County. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 13, at Lotz Salem Chapel, 1330 East Main St., Salem. A memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. that evening to celebrate his life and accomplishments. Donations can be made "In Memory of Francis R. French" with checks made payable to "Norfolk Academy" and mailed to Norfolk Academy, 1585 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502.