© The Anadarko Daily News
Anadarko, Oklahoma
14 November 2006
Edgar Leonard French Jr
Funeral Mass for Edgar Leonard French, Jr., 72, of Fort Cobb will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anadarko.
Rosary and wake service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Viewing will be until 5 o'clock tonight and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Steverson Funeral Home in Anadarko.
Mr. French was born Aug 8, 1934 in Verden to Edgar L. Sr. and Blanche (Reynolds) French and passed from this life Sunday, Nov 12, 2006 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha following a very short illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Gerald Ray French and Susanne Helen French, and three brothers, Jessie Coffey, Charles Ray French and William Kirby French.
When Mr. French was very young, his family moved to Anadarko, and he attended Anadarko Schools, graduating with the Class of 1952. He played football and was a member of the "A" Club.
He attended Kansas University for one year before enlisting in the United States Air Force.
Following his discharge, he enrolled in Oklahoma State University Technical School in Okmulgee and received his associate degree in electronics.
He and the former Shirley Ann Williams were married in Lawton on March 28, 1959.
Mr. French enrolled at OSU in Stillwater, but later transferred to Cameron College in Lawton, where he received his degree in history, while living in Fort Cobb and working part time at Simpson's TV and Appliance Store.
The family moved to Van Nuys, Calif., where he worked in electronics. They came back to Fort Cobb in 1964, where they have lived since that time.
A member of the Delaware Tribe, Mr. French was business manager for the Wichita and Delaware tribes until 1973.
He ran for his first political office and was elected treasurer of the Delaware Tribe. He was later elected President, and also sered at Vice-President. Several years ago he received recognition from the Delaware Nation for 30 years of service.
He has now been involved in tribal affairs for over 40 years, and was servicing another term as president at the time of his death.
For a few years he was the business manager for the Caddo Tribe.
Mr. French was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Transportation. He served as Chairman of the Seven Tribes, Wichita, Caddo, Delaware, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, and Fort Sill Apache.
He helped with WCD Enterprises for many years, and was instrumental in getting the hat factory there. He also helped the Delawares get their casino started.
He loved his tribe and loved helping people in general.
He was honored at the Jim Thorpe All-Star Games for his contribution to promoting athletics for Indian people.
He served on the School Board at Fort Sill Indian School and was appointed Chairman of his precinct at Fort Cobb by the Caddo County Election Board, a position he held for over 15 years.
Mr. French loved to fish, loved football, and taking part and putting back together cars and other mechanical items.
Most of all, he loved his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, who called him Papa or Grandpa. He tried to attend all their sporting events and other school activities.
He lived a happy life, loved his parents, his brothers and sisters, cousins, and a especially close cousin, Linda Poolaw.<
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann French of Fort Cobb; two adopted sons, Louis French of Macy, Neb., and Franklin Paul French of Oakland, Calif.; his grandchildren, Lauryn Elizabeth French of Fort Cobb, Derek Reynolds Tippeconnie of Indiahoma, Smitty Alexander French, Trinity Alexander Goombi, Emeri Anne Tippeconnie, and Orion Thorpe French, all of Fort Cobb; one brother Reynolds French of Norman; one sister Mary French Smith of Anadarko; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many loving friends.
Burial will be in Fort Cobb's Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Steverson Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail to steversonfuneralhome@netride.net. |
