Official Obituary courtesy The Seattle Times .. Jan. 2 2018
Jim French
James Rowley (Jim) French passed away peacefully at his home on December 20, 2017 with his daughter at his side. He was 89 years old.
Jim was born September 23, 1928 to James and Mabelle (Rowley) French in Pasadena, California, where he grew up and attended school. Jim joined the U.S. Army in 1945, and was stationed in Japan where he was assigned to the Armed Forces Radio Services in the city of Kokura. After he returned Jim attended Pasadena City College, where he met and became engaged to Patricia Anne Soule. They wed June 17, 1950 and were married 66 years, until Pat’s death in 2017. They had two children, Leslie Anne and James Forrest French.
From the time Jim was a small boy, he was fascinated with radio. Over a career of more than 70 years, Jim touched many lives through his work as a radio personalty in Southern California, Hawaii and Seattle. He was the writer, producer and director of Imagination Theater, and the creator of “The Adventures of Harry Nile” “Dameron” and “Kincaid, the Strange Seeker,” and “The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.” Jim spent his life doing what he loved, and his audio drama legacy will live on in his body of work for years to come.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Leslie Anne (Lee Anne) French of Elma, WA, son James Forrest (Jeff) French of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren: Olivia Dugenet of Spokane, WA, Shannon (Dugan) Patterson of Hoquiam, WA, and Christopher and Nicholas Dugan, both of Portland, OR., and 6 great-grandchildren.
He was proud of his family and dearly loved them.
A memorial service will be held for Jim Saturday January 13, 2018 at the South Bellevue Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 15205 SE 28th St, Bellevue, Washington, at 10:00 AM.
Donations can be made in Jim’s name to Seattle Humane Society in Bellevue, WA.
Published in The Seattle Times from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2018
