Arthur J. French

Arthur J. French Jr., 90, passed away from complications of Parkinson's Disease on February 15, 2007 at his residence in the Health Care Center of Homewood at Crumland Farms, Frederick, Maryland.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Theda French of Frederick, Maryland.

Born May 4, 1916 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of the late Arthur J. French and Lillian French. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, CAPT Arthur J. French III, U.S. Public Health Service and daughter-in-law Paula of Frederick; two grandsons, 2nd Lt. Andrew French, U.S. Army, and A. Jonathan French; one sister, Phyllis Welcher of Largo Florida; nieces, Phyllis Hilton, JoAnne Bielec, and Verna Saunders of Michigan, Judith Weir and Darlene McFarlane of Arizona, and nephews, CDR J. Russell McFarlane, U.S. Navy, of Virginia and Dennis Welcher of Michigan. He was preceded in death by one brother, George French. He was a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Spending most of his life in the Detroit area he retired from the General Motors Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan in 1980. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, boating and hunting. He was active in many organizations including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Navy League. He was a member of the American Legion Francis Scott Key Post 11 in Frederick, and Past-Commander of the Dunedin, Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and was a Life Member of the Acanthus Lodge 477 in Warren, and was a Knight Templar in the Detroit Commandery #1 and the Detroit Moslem Shriners. He also was a member of Elks Lodge #684 of Frederick.

Services: Cremation has taken place and there will be a Memorial Service in the Slayman Chapel of Homewood at Crumland Farms with the Rev. Beverly Stang officiating on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.