The following Tribute was
written by my sister, Carlah
She read at the CELEBRATION OF LIFE
service for dad.
Remembering DAD
Through our journey through life God has promised to strengthen & uphold us and right now I’m sure holding on to that
The ‘Dash’ – what a dash dad had
Dad ‘spoke volumes’ often without speaking a word ... in his actions, in his deeds.. he lived a life that made that simple
Dash so very remarkable.
Dad had a strong belief in a Supreme Being
–didn’t matter what religion -
he felt that knowledge was the greatest part,
it mattered not how you got to know the Lord.
I have spent my life hearing stories of dad –
and more wonderful recollections of him in the last few days-
I am very proud to say he touched many lives in many wonderful ways.
I’m sure more than one of you can recall hearing ………
* ‘Pardon me – do you have any Grey Poupon’ {while out in the boat at the lake}
or
* to a waitress…’do you have change for a quarter?
I want to leave you a nice big tip’,
how about,
*after asking him ‘how are you’ hearing him say "I’m nice"
have a good day – his reply: "already did, I got to see you"..
this, he said to many people –
many times and he truly meant those words….
Dad was always so happy to see & spend time with his friends.
* if I said to dad – it was so nice to see you, his response would be …. Yes, and it saved me a trip to the zoo!
Dad, the great teacher – be prepared – don’t always 'expect' the remark you think you will hear.
*one of my favorites …. unsuspecting houseguests staying in their downstairs bedroom, which at one time was mine…
Dad shared his unusual ‘alarm clock’ ….
A 3# coffee can, with both ends removed,
placed on the top of the stairs
– then –
oh so gently touched so it would create the most obnoxious noise possible as it rolled down each and every step!
* To dad, his ‘girls’ were very dear … on one occasion dad called us all into the living room, my mom-Sandi-myself ….
had us sit down and proceeded to tell us just how important
we were to him – how we were his life – how proud he was of us –
and wanted to show his love for us ….
Dad handed us each a gift box –
by just looking, we could tell it was a jewelry box –
beautifully wrapped and adorned with an equally exquisite bow.
Dad continued saying, as we opened our treasures,
that this was just a token of his love for us….
We opened the gift …. each of us had received a Dime-on Pin …
exactly that ….
Dad had attached a dime onto a safety pin….
that was dad….
.he stood smirking as we were groaning –
but to each of us that dime-on-pin meant more
than any diamond pin could have
as they were made with love by dad!
As mentioned in dad’s story … I have been on a mission….
While completing a book titled Grandma Remembers, a question I asked grandma/Goldie French was ‘What was a bad habit, my dad, your son, had while growing up' …. Grandma shook her head and said … 'Troy didn’t have any bad habits'
..I was asking about anything…nail biting & nope, not my dad.
Okay,next question, what was the worst thing my dad, your son, did while growing up for which he got in trouble? Again, with a shake of Grandma’s head I heard her say, 'there wasn’t anything – Troy was a good boy.'
My thoughts … of course she would say that – he was her son.
Thus, my mission began …. A quest of 20 years ….
I have asked family, friends, business associates for a "Troy story" ….lot of funny things he had done but, no,
Troy never got into trouble.
Dad would phone me when they had out-of-town guests ----
friends that I had not yet quizzed ….
my folks would have said nothing to the guests about my quest….
I would travel from Billings, visit then eventually, casually make my inquiry …. to my dad’s delight,
I would hear many a story of things the guests had done
– BUT –
not one story of something dad had done!
I would return home, dad’s halo intact –
and wait for the next opportunity.
So dad ….
As you would have said with that smirk of yours
"It ain’t right but it’s so….."
You knew just how much Sandi & I loved you
and felt blest to have you as our dad so now dear fatherly…
for all you’ve done and not only for family and friends
You Are Being Rewarded In Heaven!
Angel
I felt an angel's presence
On the day you left my side:
A gentle touch upon my cheek,
To wipe the tears I cried.
I seemed to hear her whisper
"Your loved one's in God's care,
Just turn your eyes to Heaven
And know he's resting there."
Her presence brought me comfort;
It was as if she knew
My faith in God was tested,
On the day that I lost you.
The years have swiftly passed,
Yet still I sense her near,
And know, whatever comes my way,
She'll help me through each fear.
God never leaves us helpless
As along life's path we roam:
An angel always comes our way
To guide us gently home.
TROY
Troy lived a life so FULL and had so many adventures!
We would love to share a little of him with you
April 17, 1922 - Jan. 3, 2005
"His Dash"
First came his date of birth 4-17-22 and we speak the following date with tears 1-3-05, but what mattered most of all was his "DASH" between those years. For that dash represents all the time he spent alive on earth and now only those who loved and knew Troy know what that little line is worth…
Troy Anderson French passed away Jan. 3, 2005, in Hardin. He was born in Hardin, to parents Troy D. and Goldie Harris French; he was the eldest of four sons and so enjoyed his school-time, his family and friends. Always responsible, he pitched in to help his parents with their dray business, making the deliveries to Ft. Smith and wherever needed.
He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the South Seas on the island of Morati as a shipbuilder.
His stories of service days, the stateside ones, were quite interesting - one he treasured was a lunch at the Brown Derby in Los Angeles. He and a shipmate walked in and they were both treated royally. His memento of that day is a large "daily menu" signed by many celebrities, including Bud Abbott, Mel Blanc (the Bugs Bunny voice) and Bob Crosby. "Hey, sailor-boy," was what they would say as they came up to sign his menu. And of course, he did ask to purchase the menu before using it!
He so loved his Navy buddies and kept in touch with them right through to the last.
At war's end, he returned to Hardin and met and married his lifelong companion, Evelyn Jane Hodgskiss, on April 6, 1947. When the Korean War called up its veterans, Troy and Evelyn moved to Astoria, Ore., for his service as a naval boat builder, where he again met and made lifelong friends. At war's end, they returned to Hardin to begin their life of "Faith, Family, Friends and Fun!" Troy was a life member of the First United Methodist Church, (he helped build the church at its present location), was active on the Board, cooked for the annual Groundhog dinner and sang with the choir.
Troy started his lifetime lumber/building career at the Hardin Lumber Co., working there for many years before venturing into his own business. He and Evelyn bought Saunders Lumber in 1971, renamed it French's Building Materials and began another "new adventure in life."
He and Evelyn enjoyed countless delightful adventures with their daughters, Sandra and Carolyn, taking camping trips in their homemade trailer; including the World's Fair in Seattle, fishing the area rivers, ocean fishing and Canada, hunting at friends' places, traveling near and far to visit family and friends, and loved sharing "their" Montana with the many visitors to their home - visitors from all around the world.
Those wonderful memories are the treasures he leaves to us.
Troy was an active member and officer of the Hardin Lions Club, American Legion Post #8, Saints John Lodge #92 AF & AM, Past Worshipful Master, Hardin Chamber of Commerce, Hoo-Hoo Organization, Montana Building Materials Dealers Association and many other organizations in the community.
There were few community barbecues held in Big Horn County, where Troy was not the "Chef" with his huge kettle BBQ, loaded with steaks or "Troy-burgers" and wearing his ten-gallon Chef's hat. Whenever a "Master of Ceremonies" was needed for events; whether at the Elks Talent Show, 4th of July activities or Chamber events - once again Troy was glad to fill the "Hat needed."
He had a wonderful time appearing on the To Tell the Truth Show in the early 1970s, alongside George C, and was tickled he got the most votes from the cast; we think it was the 10-gallon cowboy hat he wore.
We are so thankful he had the forethought
to request a tape of the show.
Something we still watch and enjoy!
The younger generations in the Hardin area were entertained annually on Halloween by Troy
as the witch with the smoking cauldron of peanuts.
He was also known as the man with the "peanut bowl" store.
Troy took his responsibilities as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather very seriously.
His daughter, Carlah, made it a mission in life to find even one little naughty thing Dad did anytime in his life and to date still has found nothing.
He treasured his lifelong friends, from school days, Naval times, work related and the group he so enjoyed,
the "Dirty Dozen."
After the death of his beloved Evelyn in 1998, he lived with Sandi and Pat for two years and developed a close relationship with his great-granddaughters, who came often to visit and to spend time rocking with him.
Because of his failing eyesight and health, Troy elected to live in the Heritage Acres Assisted Living Complex for two years and finally the Heritage Acres Nursing Home.
…For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house.. the cash; what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash. Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
Troy was preceded in death by his parents;
his wife, Evelyn; and many beloved relatives and friends.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Big Horn County Historical Museum Farm House Project, Route 1, Box 1206A, Hardin, MT 59034.
Obituary written by Sandi B
for donating peanuts / bags to us.
which were then handed out to the attending people after dad's celebration of life.
With a label attached saying;
"As Troy would always say as he handed a little bag of peanuts to a child:
"remember - don't start eating these UNTIL you are in your mommy's (or daddy's) new car!" "
Dad and Mom would LOVE this:
their 3 granddaughters coming to 'visit with them'.
They LOVED their Papa,
and are 'sure they knew their gramma!'
Kenzie, Kaya, Kenna - 12-07
click the pictures to see bigger version....
also click the picture on that page, to enlarge.
