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HOWARD DALLAS FRENCH

On Jan. 27, 2023, as his loving wife held him, Howard Dallas French passed through the physical experience we call death. His caring, devoted family was with him.

Born on May 14, 1945 to Robert and Annette (Rose) French, he was named after his uncle who died at Normandy. He attended Bingham and McPhee schools where he liked to tell stories of being a bit of a stinker (which his parents never believed) during his elementary years. He graduated from Alpena High School in 1963, playing several sports but excelling at basketball. He is still listed as one of the top scorers in Alpena High history. He also received second team All State Honors from the Detroit Free Press during his senior year. In December of 1961, while walking out of the lunch room at the high school, one of his classmates, Ginny Eustis asked him if he would go with her to the Holiday dance at the Lake Winyah Club. He said “yes” and that first date began a 62-year relationship of deep and abiding love; they married on Sept. 17, 1966. Passing up a full ride scholarship to Central Michigan, he followed Ginny, heading off to Michigan State University where he graduated in 1967. As Ginny taught school, Howard continued his education at Wayne State University, receiving a Master’s Degree in business in 1968. He held sales positions at Mobil Oil Company and Wesley Jessen Corporation, earning sales honors at both. On Oct. 13, 1968, they welcomed their son, Scott Howard into their loving arms; their daughter Dallas Ann joined the family on January 10, 1973. Being offered a promotion at Wesley Jessen, which entailed a move to Chicago, Howard and Ginny decided that they did not want to raise their children in the big city, so they headed “home” to Alpena where he accepted a position as the Executive Director of the United Way. Their son, Ryan Eustis joined the family on June 2, 1977. During his time at the United Way, he worked with many foundations in Michigan and beyond. Because of this, he felt strongly that NEMI should have its own foundation. Recruiting community members, Howard was the driving force and first Executive Director of the Northeast Michigan Community Foundation (now the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan). This was a truly crowning moment of his work career. He went on to become the Executive Director of NEMROC, a job he loved and held for 30 years. His empathy for people with disabilities was profound. He easily segued into retirement in 2007, enjoying more time on the trout streams and deer blinds. He took great pride in managing the family property, Strawbery Banke. Getting the deer blinds ready for deer season was a yearly project and he was proud of his nickname “Captain of the Hunt”.

Howard will be remembered as a great story teller (“I always tell the story,,,”), devoted and loving son, husband, father and grandfather. He leaves behind to mourn and remember, his wife, Geneva (Ginny) Eustis French, his children Scott Howard French (Sherri) French of White Lake, Michigan, Dallas Ann Tomlin of Mount Prospect, Illinois and Ryan Eustis French (Stephanie) of Hubbard Lake, Michigan. Also, his amazing grandchildren who brought him such happiness, Alexa Carlynn Stauske of Halifax, Nova Scotia; Evelyn Lee Tomlin of Mount Prospect, Illinois; Anika Eustis French of White Lake, Michigan; Annette (Annie) Marie French and Jackson Kroupa French, both of Hubbard Lake, Michigan. Also, his many friends and neighbors who have been so helpful and supportive.

Cremation has taken place and we will celebrate Howard’s life in April around the time of the opening day of trout season (A high holy day in the French household). Details will be in a future edition of the Alpena News. A warm thank you to McWilliams Funeral Home for their care and compassion during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Hospice of Michigan, 199 Long Rapids Road, Alpena; the Community Foundation for NEMI, 100 N, Ripley Blvd, Suite F, Alpena or NEMROC, 800 Bolton Street, Alpena.