Larry Neal French

Larry Neal French, 62, passed away at his home Aug 19, 2011, in the presence of his family. He was born January 28, 1949, to Marty and Velma French in Sturgis, S.D.  Larry married Nancy Epperson in Grand Coulee, Wash., in 1972 and moved to Port Orchard, Wash., in 1979 with two of their to-be three children. It was there he started his new career working mostly as a Nuclear Certified Rigger. Larry retired from the Bremerton Naval Shipyard after 28 years of service in Oct. 2007. After retiring, he and Nancy moved into a house they designed and had built on the Little Deschutes River in Bend, Ore. Larry was always happy and enjoyed life, especially anything outdoors. Growing up in Grand Coulee, he loved hunting, fishing and spending as much time as possible on Banks Lake.

 Larry is survived by his wife Nancy of 39 years, two daughters, Heather Handlin, 36, from Billings Mont., Jolene French Burnam, 33, from Bend Ore., and his son Ryan French, 31, from Pasco, Wash. He also has two sisters; Marilyn McDowell, Spokane, Vel Etta Walker, Grand Coulee, and two brothers Terry French, Federal Way, and Gary French, Grand Coulee.

 He was the best grandfather there was to his three grandchildren Trenton Handlin, 16, Billings, Mont.; Kayla French Burnam, 8, Bend, Ore.; and Casey French, 2, from Pasco.

 He was preceded in death by his father, Marty A French, January, 1992.

Memorial services for Larry and his mother Velma French, who passed away February, 23, 2012, will be held from 2-4 p.m., at the Banks Lake Bible Church, 25 School Street, Electric City, Saturday,March 17, 2012. Donations may be made to the Cancer Society of your choice.