Ted French

Nov 9, 1949 ~ Mar 5, 2010
Ted French, longtime resident of Monticello, UT passed away in Texas on March 5, 2010. Ted was born to Ross and Corrine French in Twin Falls ID on November 9, 1949.
Ted’s parents divorced and Ted was transplanted to Idaho Falls with his Mom, big brother Kenny and sisters Kathy and Sandy. After his father re-married, Ted moved to Monticello, UT in the sixth grade. He came to live with his father and new stepmother Hazel. This new move and home also presented a new brother and sister, Deaun and Bill Christensen.
Ted was to spend the rest of his growing up years in Monticello. He was well liked and everyone that met Ted enjoyed his sense of humor and the many tall tales that he was always willing to share through his life. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1967.
Ted started drilling quite young. He learned to drill water wells from an exacting taskmaster and a master driller, his father Ross French. After graduating Ted worked for his father for a long time and drilled water wells all over San Juan and Grand counties. He was eventually injured after a fall at a drilling site, which crushed his foot. He was out of commission for a long time and this finished his years as a driller.
Ted worked at Key Stone Wallace copper mine in San Juan County for some time. While living in Moab, UT, he met and married Pat Odle. They had two children; Camice and Sonny. They later divorced.
Ted moved to Arizona and went to work in the copper mines around Tucson. He was quite successful there. He married Pat Woodall. They had a daughter, Barbara Nichol. This marriage also ended.
Once again Ted was alone and living in Flagstaff, AZ. He trained as a stonemason and became a master of the art. Ted kept a scrapbook of his work and loved to show it off.
The stonework eventually led him to meet John and Tracy Boucher. They became good friends while doing stonework for them and eventually went to work driving truck for them at Oversees Aircraft Support. He hauled helicopters from anywhere in the country to Arizona. This job allowed him to visit family and friends all over the country.
Ted was an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed belonged to a gold panning club. Ted was an avid reader and self taught in many areas. A favorite place to visit was Monticello. He had many close friends and family there that were always glad to host his many visits.
Ted is survived by his mother Corrine Lewis, sister Sandy Mueler, step-sister Deaun Connaughton, step-brother Bill Christensen, daughters Camice and Barbie, son Sonny and five grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father Ross French, step-mother Hazel French, brother Kenny French and sister Kathy Menser.

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