Donald Harold French – Intermountain Catholic

Friday, 07.10.2022

December 12, 1946 to September 19, 2022

Our wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away from mesothelioma on September 19th, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family in West Valley City. Don was 75 years old.

Don was born on December 12, 1946 in Mt. Holly, New Jersey to Harold “Frenchie” Albert French and Dorothy “Dolly” Marie Purcell French. He grew up in Medford, New Jersey and graduated from Lenape Regional High School in 1965. After high school, he came to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah, where he graduated in 1965. Don married Rosalie “Rose” Ann Jones on June 9, 1969 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden. Two children were born of this union.

Don served in the US Navy from 1970 to 1976, first going to school and then aboard the USS Biddle. Naval assignments took him from San Francisco, California to Virginia Beach, Virginia, Norfork, Virginia and then to Bath, Maine. After their discharge from the Navy, Don and Rose moved back to the Salt Lake City area to raise their family.

Don worked at Sperry Rand (Unisys), then at OEC-Diasonics which became GE Healthcare (Medical Systems) and retired in 2015. Don was an avid runner and gardener. He loved hiking and travelling, especially to the sea. And he enjoyed the many family reunions we attended, particularly the most recent one in June 2022, which included a Santana concert in West Valley City. He enjoyed U of U basketball and soccer, as well as the Philadelphia teams: the Phillies, Eagles, and the Flyers.

Don is survived by his 53-year-old wife, Rose; Children Erik French and Tara (Michael Drews) French. He also leaves behind three amazing grandchildren, Katelynn “Kati” (John Kaiser) French, Matthew Drews and Sarah Drews; and an adorable great-grandson, Carter French Kaiser. His parents Harold and Dorothy French preceded his death.

The family would like Dr. Clarke Low and Dr. Thank you Jamie Brant for her care over the past 15 months. And the Intermountain Hospice, especially his nurse Jaquel, for all their care. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741 or a charity of your choice.

Funeral services for Don will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and T Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Arrangements are entrusted to Stark’s Funeral Parlor. Please share your memories with his family at www.starksfuneral.com.