Vernon Wayne French

Vernon Wayne French, 86, of Bower, passed away on July 3, 2017 at his home. Wayne was born on October 25, 1930 to Leur Grant and Nora Valley (Marshall) French. He attended grade school in Bower and graduated from Canadian High School in 1948. Wayne enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on April 17, 1952 and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on April 16, 1960. Wayne married Lela Mae Oliver on September 23, 1966 in Wilburton. They were happily married for over thirty-two years, before she preceded him in death on August 8, 1998. He retired from working as a crane operator for Braden Steel in Tulsa, Oklahoma for thirty years. Wayne was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Eufaula. Survivors include: sons: Mickey French and wife Tina of Eufaula and Ricky French of Eufaula; his brothers, Leon French and wife Mary Ann, Leland French, Arther French and wife Dorothy all of Eufaula; his sisters, Beulah Williams, Dixie Dawson, Bonnie Shaver, Ledessia Effinger, and Mavis Hairod and husband Reece; a sister-in-law, Patsy French; four grandchildren: Daniel & Corina French, Timothy & Rebecca French, Christopher Jacobs, and Maekayla and Joe Holloway; eleven great grandchildren: Shantel French, Sean Block, Bryan Doshier, Jordyn Doshier, Alayna French, Dylon Wayne French, Landon Jacobs, Andrew Jacobs, Cole Jacobs, Nathan Jacobs, Jaylyn Holloway, Joseph Holloway, and Chelsea Holloway; and two great great grandchildren: Naomi Morris and Ryder Jacobs. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister, Lucille Grider and his brothers, Bobby French, Everett French, J.D. French, Don French, G.H. French, and stepson, Ricky Miller.