Raymond C. French, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather entered into his Savior's arms in the very early morning hour July 5, 2009. During the previous hours he was surrounded by his family who were singing hymns, praying and reading the Scriptures. He loved his Country and showed his patriotism while still able, watching an early fireworks display from his bedroom window. This past 4th of July will be fondly held in our hearts forever. Ray was born Oct. 27, 1918 to Raymond Alfred French and Grace Agnes Allen French in Scranton, PA. Most of his growing up years were spent around beautiful Lake Winola. He graduated from Falls Overfield High School in Mill City, PA in 1937. He attended Penn State College for 1 ½ years and then enlisted in the Army Air Corp May 31, 1939. He rose through the ranks to become 1st Lieutenant and served 19 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 462nd Bomb Group as a Squadron Ordinance Officer. Later he was promoted to Captain in the Air Reserve Corps. After the war was over, Ray finished his schooling at Colorado A and M in Fort Collins, CO., graduating in 1948 with a degree in Soils and Agronomy. On Oct. 16, 1949 he married Miriam Dougherty, whom he met at Wesley Foundation in Jan. 1946. After several Soil Scientist jobs he felt called to teach Agriculture and went to Cornell University to get his Masters Degree. He taught for several years and then felt called to move to the Northwest. He was hired as Benton County Extension Agent and moved his family to Kennewick, WA on one of the hottest days in July 1955. In 1959 he bought 160 acres of sagebrush on Keene Road. In 1960 he planted 20 acres of cherries. After leaving the Extension Service, Ray had several Ag related jobs while waiting for the orchard to come into full production. He also taught at CBC many years. Ray is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Miriam; his sons Robin Sandra, Raymond Trish, and Tom Paulette, all of Richland; seven grandchildren, 1st Lt. Ken Karly of Phoenix, AZ, Jonathan Lesley, Lori, Paul and Joshua, Jessica and Erica, all of Richland; step-grandchildren, Ron Peggy Moore of Yakima, Larry Lori Moore of Richland; great-grandson, Landyn Lee French of Richland; and step-great-grandson, Ryan Moore of Yakima. He has two sisters-in-law and nine nieces and nephews in different parts of the United States. Ray loved his family, church, community and country. He was a good prayer warrior; down on his knees every night until his last sickness. He also loved to sing. Before his second stroke that affected his throat, he sang in several choirs. Besides farming, he also loved gardening, trips to the ocean, hunting, fishing, camping, bowling and Bible Study Fellowship. Memorial services will be held at First Baptist Church, 1107 Wright Ave., Richland, Friday, July 10th at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Richland, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy in Kennewick, or your favorite charity.