James (Jim) Richard French, of Rogers City, passed away at home on October 24, 2016. He was 86.

He was born July 16, 1930 in Lake Orion, Michigan to Harlan Ricardo and Doris (Bailey) French. He was raised on the family farm on Pontiac St.

Jim graduated from Oxford High School in 1949. On November 12, 1953, he married Dolores Marie (Billie) Forbes (Oxford High School class of 1949), the daughter of Earl Albert Forbes and Mary Ann (Tibbits) Forbes, in Angola, Indiana, after returning from the U.S. Army. Billie was raised on Burdick St. in Oxford. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to a farm in Hawks, Michigan.

He retired in 1992 as a shovel operator from the Rogers City Calcite Plant.

Mr. French is survived by five children, James R. (Jane L. Hill) French Jr., of Oxford, Mary (Norm) French-Sampson of Sault Ste. Marie, Donna French of Rogers City, Laura Couture of Rogers City and Teresa French of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan;

Nine grandchildren, James R. (Tammy) French III, Robert (Lisa Newmarch) French, Zachary (Heidi) Joppich, Robert Sampson, Joshua Sampson, Mike Patten, Daphne Patten, Ronald Sampson and Amy Sampson;

Nine great-grandchildren, Desiree Marie French, Makenna Joppich, Masen Joppich, Dawson Faith, Maya Joppich, Aden James French, Tyler Hughes, Kristeen Newmarch and Kayla Newmarch; three brothers, Harlan French, Lowell (Marlene) French and Bruce French; two sisters, Laura (Dennis) Mersino and Nina (Val) Sausser.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores (Billie) on December 8, 2004 and a brother, Donald French, on January 1, 2009.

Private services were held.

Arrangements were handled by Beck Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made through www.beckfuneralhome.org.