James French

James "Jim" Lee French, Sr. of Mesa, AZ died March 5, 2013 in Cheyenne from complications of a stroke on September 9, 2012. He was born February 16, 1924, to Fred Lee and Frances M. (McClure) French in Central City, Nebraska. He attended school in Central City until moving to Cheyenne his senior year, graduating from Cheyenne High School in 1942. After graduation, he and his family moved to San Francisco, California. He served in the United States Navy and later the Merchant Marines for the duration of World War II. He attended officer's training school and graduated as Third Engineer. He was a proud American serving his country. After the service, he became a certified mechanic and worked as an assistant service manager for a large Ford dealership in San Mateo, CA. In Cheyenne, he owned and operated the Holiday Motel. After 18 years, he retired from the Cheyenne Fire Department where he served at one time as a lobbyist and Acting Chief. He and his wife, Cosby Perry, mother of Fred, Jimmy and Caroline, spent many years in California and Wyoming before divorcing. After he married his wife, Pat Sullivan on March 23, 1966, they enjoyed the Wyoming outdoor life, boating, fishing, hunting, time with family and many cook-outs with friends. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks, NRA, AA, National Republican Party, Masonic Lodge and Shrine Club. He was preceded in by his daughter, Caroline Lee Bell; son, James Lee French, Jr.; brothers, Kenneth French and Donald French; niece, Frances Duffy Miller; and great-nephew, Jeffery French. He is survived by a son, Fred Lee French; grandson, Frederick Matthew French; granddaughters, Charity French, Dianne (Dave) Archulata, Angela (Ryan) Stockwell, and Michelle French; great granddaughters, Summer Stockwell, Davon Claire French, Shawna Bell, Shoshanon Bell; great grandson, Nicholas French; brother, Ron Leon (Dorothy) French; sisters, Ruth Duffy, Vanda Doyle, Donna (Jim) Hunnicutt; ex-wife and dear friend, Pat Rishel; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted on Monday, March 11, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the Schrader Chapel with The Revered David Stratton officiating. Cremation is under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home. If desired, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.schraderfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home, Cheyenne.

Service

Monday, March 11, 2013 1:00pm

Schrader Chapel

2323 Carey Avenue

CHEYENNE, WY 82001