Philip M. French

Philip M. French, a 37-year resident of Freeland, died at home Feb. 4, 2006 with his wife, son and daughter-in-law at his side. He fought a long, hard battle with cancer for eight years.

Phil was born to Paul and Mary Madeline French 63 years ago in Seattle.

He spent his early years in Seattle moving to Yakima where he attended grade school. He then moved to Wenatchee where he attended junior and senior high school. Phil played football all of those years. He then went to Wenatchee Valley College playing football and received a football scholarship, but love struck and he met and married Darlene Falk in September 1964.

He worked for the Great Northern Railroad, Goodfellow Brothers Contractors (who built part of the North Cross State Highway), Boeing and the Seattle Police Department. He moved to Whidbey Island in 1969, where he went to work for Scott Paper Company, retiring in 1995. He again went back to school and received a degree in marine maintenance technology. He and his son Greg ran P&G Marine Service in Freeland until his health began to fail.

Phil loved hunting, fishing, gardening, boating and running the small family farm with his boys.

Phil is survived by his wife of 41 years, Darlene; three sons, Gregory (Lydia) French of Everett, Douglas French of Greenbank and Keith (Mary) French of Freeland. He has one sister Carolyn (Les) Markel of Wenatchee and four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

He loved dogs and his chocolate lab Harley preceded him in death Dec. 30, 2005. Phil and his dog Harley will be laid to rest in the columbarium of the Trinity Lutheran Church courtyard.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made in his memory to Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239.

The family wants to thank Dr. Paul Knoll and the MAC clinic of Whidbey General Hospital for all the care and support. A special thanks to the hospice team and a special thank you to P.C., his terrific, caring nurse. Last, but not least, for all the prayers from Trinity Lutheran Church for the past eight years. What a wonderful group of God’s people.