Harry Paul French

It is with heavy hearts that my sisters Dixie Ervin, Kathy (Kate) Driskill, and I, Ron (Ronald French) accept the passing of our dearest father, Harry Paul French, who was born on May 2, 1934, was received into the peace of Jesus Christ on January 18, 2021. Son of Harry Paul French Jr. and Nettie Grace (McCallan) Oberheim. He will be fondly remembered by a loving family including his daughters Dixie Ervin (John) of Columbia, MO and Kathy Driskill (Don) Hallsville, Mo. his son Ronald (wife Regina (Berne) of O’Fallon MO).

He was blessed with 4 grandchildren, Kristen (French) Driskill of St Louis, MO, Lauren (French) Counts of Kirkwood MO, Amber (Ervin) Richards of Springfield, MO, and Casie Jo Ervin of Hallsville, MO.

He will also be sorely missed by his great grandchildren, Luke Driskill and Grace Driskill (Kristen and Matt Driskill), Adele and Guinevere Richards (Amber and Chris Richards), Hunter Shaw (Casie Jo Ervin and Josh Shaw), Rae Lynn Counts (Lauren and Clay Counts). I might add he would have had his sixth great grandchild in February. Fond remembrances will be had by his sister Maggie French and her husband Erik Brilioth of Stockholm, Sweden. He will be sorely missed by his dearest loving friend, Trudy Anthony of Prairie Village, KS, and close lifetime friends, Ed and Darlene Lauterbach of Kansas City, KS.

Harry was born in Topeka Kansas, graduated from Argentine High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He was an electrician by trade and worked initially for the Santa Fe Railroad, then moved to Trans World Airlines. In the last decade of his career, he managed electricians at the Kansas City Star Newspaper.

He was also an avid mechanic and will be remembered for his incredible craft of repairing and prolonging the life of his automobiles. He was very good at maintaining them well for many years. He renewed two awesome classic trucks that were his pride and joy. Rightfully so.

He was also very fond of his fishing acumen. We can remember many a time fishing with our dad on weekends. He was especially fond of Crappie and Bluegill fishing with lures. Late in life he was excellent with photography and film developing. Another hobby he mastered was designing and creating wooden items on a lathe. We enjoy many personal items that he crafted. His woodworking skills were also very good as he created items like rocking chairs and cribs for his grandchildren.

Humorous anecdote: Sorry Dad, I never could acquire a taste for Hamm’s Beer. Love you!

In Lieu of flowers please consider donations to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.