John Charles French

On Sunday June 6, 2021, John C. “Jack” French, loving Father and Grandfather, passed away in Nampa, ID at the age of 85. He passed away peacefully at Heron Place in Nampa.

Jack was born on June 24, 1935 in Caldwell, Idaho to Lester and Frances (Peck) French. His father was a hard-working farmer, and Jack was always expected to help out and do whatever needed to be done around the farm. He graduated from Parma High School in 1953 and attended the College of Idaho, graduating in 1957 with a business degree.

On March 31st, 1957, he married Marletta Joyce Trapp in Boise, Idaho at the Wright Community Church. Marletta was the love of Jack’s life, and he absolutely adored her. His “gruff” personality and her “gentleness” made them the ideal pair. They raised four children together: daughters, Gina and Sherry, and sons, John Randall (Randy) and Richard Blair (Rick).

His early jobs included Parma Water Lifter and Terminal Ice, culminating in a career with the State of Idaho Department of Employment (now known as the Department of Labor) from 1962-1986. He was lucky enough to be able to retire at the age of 51. He made many lifelong friends while employed with the Department.

Jack and Marletta retired to their vacation home on the Little Salmon River in Pinehurst, Idaho where they lived for 10 years. There were many fun times had at the river house with many visits from family and friends. After some health issues, they decided to move back to the Treasure Valley in 2005. Jack had a lifelong affection for Jazz and Big Band music. He enjoyed reading mysteries and history books, and he was always known to have Fox News going in the background. He always enjoyed telling a good story and often left us in stitches. He had a great memory to the end. Jack never met a stranger. Often when he struck up a conversation in a waiting room it would turn out that they had an acquaintance in common. His hobbies included his love for BSU football and the College of Idaho, gardening, bowling, fishing, and attending the Sun Valley Jazz Festival.

He is survived by a sister, Judy Barnes; daughters, Gina Ash and Sherry French; grandchildren, Hannah Frei, Taylor French, and Piper French; and great grandchild, Wyatt Graham. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marletta; sons, Randy and Rick French; and son-in-law, Tom Ash.

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held on Friday, June 18th at 3:00 PM at the Cloverdale Event Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, The Jon Francis Foundation, and Parma High School Scholarship Fund.