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Henry Safford French Jr.
May 26, 1947 – July 16, 2021
Henry Safford French, Jr. 74 of Deer Park, Texas passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021 with his son by his side. He was born May 26, 1947 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Henry Safford French, Sr. and Marilyn Louise (Quonce) French. Henry grew up in Fairfield, Ohio, north of Cincinnati and was the oldest of three. He graduated in 1965 and soon went on to attend Ohio University where he earned a BA in Business in 1969. After college, Henry enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in England and Korea during the Korean War. Upon honorable discharge in 1973 from the Air Force, Henry began his work career with Champion Paper and was soon transferred to the Houston area, where he later met the love of his life on April 11, 1974 and married on March 21, 1975.
Henry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His faith was his foundation and defined his love for others. He was an elder at his church, St. James Presbyterian Church; a very giving man who always gave his time to his family and anyone in need. He retired from Centerpoint Energy in 2014 after a 28 year career. Henry loved Peggy and left a legacy of 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. When he wasn’t helping his children, he and Peggy were cheering on their grandkids in all their adventures. When not spending time with his family he enjoyed playing the guitar, building guitars, and working on anything with his hands. His love for fishing was learned at an early age while he spent summers at Keuka Lake, NY. He passed the love for the outdoors onto his family with epic summer trips spent at the same lake cottage he grew up at.
A servant at heart, he always said yes, whether coaching his kids in soccer, serving at the church, and offering a hand to anyone in need. Henry could fix almost anything and if he couldn’t fix it, he would repurpose it. With Henry, everything and everyone had purpose.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Louise Lakes; father, Henry Safford French, Sr.; sister, Susan Diane Ninow; and Aunt, Anna Elizabeth Prosser.
He is survived by his wife of over 46 years, Peggy Maria French; brother, David E. French and wife, Patti; son, John Paul French; daughter, Kimberly Michelle Norman and husband, David; son, Shawn Michael French and wife, Jessica; son, David Ryan French and wife, Kayla; and daughter, Amanda Eileen French; grandchildren; Jacquelyn Nicole French, Christopher John French, Alexander Jorden French, Benjamin Safford French, Seth Andrew Norman, Coby Samuel Norman, Lance Henry Norman, Jase Aubrey French, Allyson Kate French, Finn Michael French, Maebry Leigh French, Austin David French, Ryan Adriel French, Luke Harrison French, Keeland James Williams, Tessa Elizabeth Williams and Zehn Slater Williams; along with great grandchildren, Lyla Marie French and Cholye Sue French and many other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to your favorite charity in Henry’s memory.
Serving as pallbearers will be John French, Shawn French, David Ryan French, David Norman, Christopher French, Seth Norman, Jase French, Coby Norman with honorary pallbearers being David E. French, Austin French, Ryan French, Luke French, Finn French, Lance Norman, Benjamin French, Alexander French, Keeland Williams and Zehn Williams.