Obituary
(From Press-Enterprise - February 20, 2013)
Edward J. French, Jr., Unknown - February 12, 2013
Edward J. French, Jr., age 89, passed away on February 12, 2013 in Riverside, CA after a short illness. He was born in Cleveland, OH to Edward J. French, Sr. and Florence Rhodes French, who predeceased him. Edward was married to his wife Elizabeth Gittings French for 31 years before her death in 1975. They are survived by their five children; Suzan French (Greta) of Ashburn, VA, Rae Anne French-Ducharme (Roger) of Sandown, N.H., Thomas French of Orange, CA, Valerie Brown (Peter) of Phelan, CA, Nancy French of Phelan, CA, eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Edward was a WWII veteran, having served in the 8th Air Force. He was a waist gunner in a B17 serving 25 missions in France, Normandy, Rhineland, Air Offensive Europe and Western European Offensive. He was happiest in his later years square dancing in several local clubs, where all his name badges read, "Just Ed". He loved taking long walks, reading stacks of history books and hiking the deserts of California collecting the western artifacts which filled his home. Private graveside services with military honors will be held on February 20, 2013 at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, CA. In lieu of flowers, his wishes were for donations to The Wounded Warrior Project for disabled veterans or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Partial List of Combat Missions Flown
Rest In Peace, With The Thanks Of A Grateful Nation