Burton Wright French, Jr., 86, of Beaumont died July 13, 2014, at his residence. He was born April 17, 1928, in the Rosedale Community near Beaumont, Texas, in the home of his grandparents, John E. French and Emma Pivoto French, which is still standing on Caswell Road.
Burt’s parents were Burton Wright French Sr. and Irene McNair French. He attended the Rosedale School, which became Voth-Rosedale School and is now Roy Guess Elementary School, and graduated from Beaumont High School in 1945. After high school, Burt attended Texas A&M College, graduating in the class of 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of “B” Battery Field Artillery at A&M and was the Commanding Officer of “B” Battery in his Senior year. The members of “B” Battery became his lifelong friends.
Burt’s first job after A&M was with the City of Beaumont Engineering Department and the Street and Bridge Department. In 1956, he began a career with Dresser-Ideco, where he retired in 1986. At Ideco, he was Project Engineer, Chief Engineer and Director of Research and Engineering.
In April 1950, Burt was baptized at Calder Baptist Church, where he has been a member since that time. Also in August, 1950, Burt and Marjorie Ann Wright were married in the chapel of Calder Baptist Church. Besides being a member and deacon at Calder Baptist Church, he was also a member of the Beaumont A&M Club, Dun Workin group, Chokers Golf group, Beaumont Heritage Society and Tyrell Historical Library Association.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Midge) French; three sons, Dr. Dan Wright French and his wife, Janet, of Columbia, Missouri; Robert Charles (Bob) French and his wife, Beth, of College Station; and Burton Colbert French and his wife, Joan, of Dallas; eleven grandchildren, Danny, Phillip, Betsy, Nikki, John, David, William, Rachel, Natalie, Cassie and Aiyana; and seven great grandchildren
Burt’s favorite things are his family, anything related to Texas A&M University, fishing, church, time with good friends, ice cream, good music and golf.
A gathering of Mr. French’s family and friends will be Wednesday evening, July 16, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 17, 2014, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 N 11th Street, Beaumont, followed by burial at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont.
Memorial contributions in Mr. French’s name may be made to Calder Baptist Church Organ Fund, 1005 N 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; Beaumont Heritage Society – John J. French Museum, 3025 French Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706; or Tyrell Historical Library Association, 695 N Pearl Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
