John Daniel French

RONAN — John Daniel French, 89, of Ronan, died of natural causes on April 29, 2005, at his home. He was born June 2, 1915, to Lee D. French and Thora N. French at Minneapolis, and in 1921 the family moved back to the family homestead west of Polson. He graduated from Polson High School in 1931 and worked several summers in the Bob Marshall Wilderness while attending the University of Montana at Missoula.

He graduated from UM Law School in 1939, served as Lake County Attorney from 1941 until he volunteered for the military service in September 1942, and again from 1946 to 1953 after release from service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

In 1941, Norma C. Jager and he were married at Ronan and resided there from 1946 until Nov. 9, 1950, when Norma and the couple's two children, Victor John and Christine Lee, and Norma's mother, Faye Jager, were killed in a traffic accident on Evaro Hill.

In 1951, he married Dorothy E. Welch in Portland and they resided in Ronan for 48 years until her death in Ronan, Nov. 23, 1999.

John was engaged in the practice of law for over 50 years and was active in community affairs for much of his adult life. He performed the legal work incorporating many churches, civic clubs, and other organizations in the area, including the local museum, LaVern Parrish lighted football field, and many others as community service.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks, Mission Lodge 86100F, Lions Club, and other organizations for many years and served on the Montana Board of Education and Board of University Regents from 1963 to 1975. He was a member and served as chairman of the Lake County Cemetery District #1 for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his first family, his parents and three sisters, Mary Otto, Ellen Jensen, and Marguerite Myrin, and his wife Dorothy.

He is survived by Joan K. French of Walla Walla, Wash., his and Dorothy's daughter, and by several nieces and nephews.

He directed that no public services be held, as he believed his friends, on hearing of his death, would in quiet reflection, recall good times in the past and miss him with fleeting sorrow. He directed that his cremains be buried in the family plot in the Mountain View Cemetery at Ronan.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Ronan Senior Center or a charity of your choice.

Shrider's Mortuary of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.