Thomas David French

Thomas David French 1931-2018

After 86 years, 7 months and 7 days spent enjoying family, friends, music, the arts and engineering, Thomas David French made his final journey home. Tom passed on April 24th, 2018 in La Quinta, California. His wife of 59 years, Mary, and his two daughters were at his side.

Tom was born on September 17th, 1931 in Tilden, Nebraska. He was the only child to parents Gwendolyn G. Barr French and Presley Milford French. Tom leaves behind his wife Mary, son David, daughters Diane and Jeanine, and 4 grandchildren.

Tom grew up in the small town of Tilden. With his grandfather Charles C. Barr being the town doctor and his Uncle Bob an avid radio and film enthusiast, Tom spent his early years in a very lively and stimulating home. That's when his love for gadgets and engineering began. His step father, Whitney J. Osborn "Papa Jake" put him to work on his farm, milking cows and helping raise pigs and chickens. He developed a strong work ethic. He took his first job while in high school as "Chief Projectionist" at the Victory Theatre in Tilden. It was 1945 and Hollywood was entering its Golden Age of "talking pictures" and musicals. Tom loved movies and got to see them all. He and his friends often talked of moving to California to make their fortunes.

In September of 1949, Tom went off to college at Wayne State Teachers College in Wayne, NE to study Pre-Engineering. He moved on to the University of Nebraska in the fall of '51 and earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in January of 1955. Motorcycles were one of Tom's favorite hobbies, in addition to Hi-Fi stereo and photography. While in college, he proudly owned a Harley Davidson. Tom had a quick wit, a good sense of humor and he liked to have fun.

After graduation, he worked at the Allison division of General Motors in Indianapolis before being drafted into the Army in January of 1956. He was stationed at both Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and the U.S. Army Test Station in Yuma, Arizona. He assisted in the design and development of Radar Target Simulators and helped develop instrumentation for timing and telemetry systems. Tom received an honorable discharge from the Army in December of '57 and returned to work at Allison in Indianapolis. He continued work on instrumentation for jet aircraft engines, pulse circuitry and sound.

In the spring of '58 he met Mary Carolyn Riegel, who was working as a secretary at Allison. It was love at first sight. "I'm gonna marry that one," Tom told his co-workers, who also had an eye for Mary. On their first big date they went to the Indianapolis 500 Qualifying. Mary made some fried chicken and they had a picnic. Tom made his intentions known early and they were engaged. They married on January 17th, 1959 and honeymooned in a snowy Washington D.C. After their honeymoon, they moved to sunny Yuma, Arizona, where Tom began working for the Yuma Army Proving Ground as an Electrical Engineer. They bought their first home on 26th Place in Yuma and started a family. Tom worked on early GPS satellites, laser tracking systems, missiles, helicopters and the very first military surveillance drones.

Tom and his wife made sure their children had a well rounded education, in and outside of school. Tom was actively involved as a "Den Dad" in his son's Cub Scouting, as well as swimming and grid kids football. He served as Audio Engineer and Board President of the Yuma Ballet Theatre while his daughters danced with the company. He retired from Yuma Proving Ground in 1988. He always made sure his family was well provided for. Tom was a risk taker and a dreamer. Having grown up loving the arts and film, he longed to build a beautiful theatre, complete with fountains and an ornate art deco design. He even had architectural plans drawn and a large lot purchased on 32nd street in Yuma. But duty to family came first. He gave his children the gift of music, theatre and travel. He played countless records nearly nonstop in the home, from a stereo system and speakers he built himself. His tastes spanned all genres. He and Mary took the kids across the country in campers, motorhomes and the family station wagon. Many happy times were spent in the company of relatives in Indiana, Ohio and Nebraska, and at national parks and Disneyland. Tradition and ritual was very important to Tom. Every Saturday night he would grill on the barbecue, often inviting his parents to join in. When summer came, he loved to set up the family's above ground swimming pool to beat the Yuma heat, and light off fireworks on the 4th of July. Christmas meant setting up the fireplace and having the biggest tree that would fit in the living room, surrounded with many gifts.

Tom was creative with words and thought. With the mind of an engineer, he was very particular and had a certain way of doing things. If you asked him to re-invent the wheel, he would certainly take delight in drawing up a schematic, but you can "damn well guarantee" his version would be pretty complicated! He had faith in the power of progress to continually improve people's lives.

Tom loved the desert. He and Mary moved to La Quinta, California in 2001 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He took up some new hobbies. After accumulating stacks of electronic equipment over the years, he became an eBay regular and began selling his collection. He was an expert at packing and shipping, having worked as a shipping clerk in college. His most beloved activity however, was to play music for the Memory Care patients at the "5 Star Club" in nearby Palm Desert. He took pride in his vast musical collection, helping light up the minds of patients from many different backgrounds. His sense of humor, openness and warmth made him many friends. He never prejudged anyone and was always ready to hear someone's story, as well as tell his own. He loved the staff at the 5 Star Club like family and desired to play music for them again.

In his last few years, Tom was weakened from several surgeries intended to prolong his life. His beloved wife Mary, who he never wanted to be without, took care of him until the very end. He had many spiritual moments he shared with family before he passed on, peacefully guided by those he loved and lost. A celebration of his life takes place on Saturday April 28th at Forest Lawn Cathedral City, Ramon Room, 69855 E Ramon Rd, Cathedral City, CA. Private burial to follow May 2nd at Desert Memorial Park, 31705 Da Vall Drive, Palm Springs