FRENCH, Roger Lawrence

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, May 17, 2017, page 7a A Prescott resident for over 20 years, Roger Lawrence French went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 29, 2017. Roger was born in Riverside, California, on Jan. 3, 1930, the second child of Henry D. and Velda S. French. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1947. Roger obtained his undergraduate degree from Pomona College and his Master’s degree from UCLA. Roger was a highly successful track and field athlete. He was nationally ranked in the 400-meter hurdles and came close to making the 1952 Olympic team. For over 30 years, Roger inspired hundreds of students as a teacher and coach at Glen A. Wilson High School in California. He was a competitive athlete throughout his life including being a marathon runner, surfer, and cyclist. After moving to Prescott in 1994, Roger volunteered his time working with local schools and took a special interest in coaching the pole vault at Prescott High School. Roger married Nancy, his loving wife of 55 wonderful years, in 1951. In Prescott, they found fellowship and friendship in the Praise Class at The Solid Rock Christian Church. Roger was preceded in death by Nancy in 2007. He is survived by son, Larry (Kathy) of Austin, Texas; son, Kevin (Carrie) of Vacaville, California. He had seven grandchildren, Laura French, Lesley (Rob) Henneke, Bryan French (Shelane), Lauren Bain (Andrew), Timothy French (Brittney), Christine French, and Peter French (Ashley). Roger also had five great-grandchildren, Ella French, Michael and Jonathan Henneke, Drake, Luke and Clay French, and one more boy due in June. A memorial celebration for Roger will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at The Solid Rock Christian Fellowship, 148 S. Marina St., Prescott, Arizona. The service begins at 11 a.m., and all friends of Roger are welcome. Information provided by survivors.