Lee Allen French

Lee Allen French, 65, died May 31st, 2017 with his family by his side at Providence Hospital in Centralia, Washington. A celebration of life will take place Sunday, June 18th, 2017 at 7945 68th Loop Southeast Olympia, Washington 98513 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

He was born May 31st, 1952 in Mayville, North Dakota to Armand and Francis French. They moved to California in 1955. Lee graduated from Anaheim High School in 1970. He entered the union electrical apprenticeship program and graduated as a journeyman electrician in 1975. He married Mimi Maretich, a long time high school friend on January 30th, 1972. They moved to the state of Washington in 1975 and built their first home together. They would go on to build two more and live in a total four homes all together. They were able to share forty five lovely years together raising their children, playing sports, vacationing, and having fun. Throughout life he loved sports. His first love was baseball. He was an outstanding catcher and was even sent letters from the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals expressing their interest in him. But instead of fulfilling that dream, he decided to live a different one by building his own family. He loved family to the fullest. Always offered a helping hand, his time, and his heart. His first born was his son Eric, followed by his daughter LeAnn three years later. One of his greatest joys in life was watching them grow and start families of their own. They gave him his five grandchildren who were the sparkles in his eyes, every time he would just see one a beam of light would shine from them. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He was an amazing son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, great uncle, and friend. Another big part of his life was building and fixing things. He loved his fresh cut grass, nicely trimmed trees, and many many projects. There wasn’t any project he wouldn’t take on, and from that would lead him to be one of the best electricians in the area. He was very highly respected and looked up to by many in the trades. There really wasn’t much he couldn’t do…

Mr. French is survived by his wife Mimi French, son Eric French, daughter LeAnn Fluke ; daughter-in-law Geetha French, son-in-law Eli Fluke ; sisters Ethel Arneson, Mary Vance ; brothers Armand French, Raymond French, Arnold French ; brother-in-law’s Mike Vance, Bo Maretich, Sam Maretich, Moses Thompson ; sister-in-law’s Billie French, Shirley French, Donna French, Mary French, Gigi (Georgia) Thompson, Sue Maretich ; five grandchildren: Kali French, Sidney Malloy, Chase Fluke, Kole French, Bailee Fluke ; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father Armand French ; mother Francis French ; brothers Ronald French, Robert French, Frank French ; and sister Patricia French Chloupek.