James A. French

James A. "Jim" French, 81, of Lafayette, formerly of Delphi, died unexpectedly June 22, 2007, at 1:17 p.m. at Lafayette Home Hospital.

He was born Dec. 10, 1925, in Louisville, Ky., to James A. French Sr. and Mae Thomas French. His marriage was to Frances A. Craig in Delphi on June 24, 1951, and she survives.

Mr. French was a 1945 graduate of Delphi High School. He received his bachelor's degree in 1950 and his master's degree in 1954, both from Purdue University.

He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany from 1945 to 1947. He taught school from 1950 to 1953 at Crown Point Elementary, then one year at Linwood Elementary in Lafayette, and from 1954 to 1959 at Durgan Elementary, also in Lafayette. He was principal at Murdock Elementary in Lafayette from 1960 until he retired in 1987.

Mr. French received the Journal & Courier George Award in 1969. He was presented the Indiana Distinguished Principal of the Year Award in 1986.

He belonged to the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, National Education Association, Honorary Education Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity and Honorary Education Kappa Delta Pi Fraternity. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge.

Mr. French was also a member of Delphi Lions Club, serving as tale twister. He served ten years as president of the Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal Association, where he was very active with canal activities. He was former president of Carroll County Historical Society.

He was a member of the Canal Society of Indiana, was coordinator of the Historic Trail Association, was a charter member of Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission, and was a former member of the board of directors at Prophetstown State Park.

Mr. French was also a former member of Harrison, Lafayette and Delphi Kiwanis clubs, and was past president of Tecumseh Kiwanis Club. He formerly belonged to Delphi American Legion Post #75 and the former Oracle Club in Delphi.

He was a member of Congress St. United Methodist Church in Lafayette. He enjoyed woodworking and watercolor painting.

Surviving with his wife are a daughter, Marlene French Lawson (husband: Robert) of Lafayette; a son, Edward French (wife: Annie) of Bloomington; a brother, Emmanuel French (wife: Virginia) of Louisville, Ky.; two sisters, Hazel Arnold (husband: H.L.) of Louisville and Alberta McMahan of New Albany; four grandsons; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, two brothers and a grandson.

A Masonic service was held June 24 at Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi. Funeral services were held there June 25, officiated by Rev. Ed Selvidge. Burial was at Masonic Cemetery in Delphi.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wabash & Erie Canal Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.