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Chester French


 

 

Chester “Chet” French passed away unexpectedly on March 31 in Brentwood,

Calif., at the age of 78. He had lived for many years in Greeley Hill.

Chet is survived by his children, Jennifer Aldo of Discovery Bay, Calif., and son Christopher French of Greeley Hill, Calif.; four grandchildren, Allyn French of Groveland, Calif., and Kylan French of Discovery Bay, Courtney Lancaster of Clarksville, Tenn., and Ryan Aldo of Gilbert, Ariz. He had two great grandchildren; Phenixx and Lyam Day of Clarksville, Tenn., who he loved to spoil on holidays and birthdays. He is also survived by a brother, Thomas French of Antioch, Calif., and his sister Phoebe Strobridge of Oroville, Calif,. along with many nieces and nephews that Chet loved.

 

 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years; his son, Greg Allyn; his parents; his sister Margaret Hernandez and brother Jonathan French; his in-laws Floyd and Mathilda Nelson.

Chet was born on Jan. 20, 1940 in Selma, Calif., to Aubrey and Mona French-Rightmire. He was proud to be an Eagle Scout.

Chet graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1957. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps. and served his country proudly for four years. The day he was discharged he asked Barbara Jean Nelson for her hand in marriage. They were married on May 13, 1961.

He owned an Atlantic Richfield station in

Roseville, Calif., for a short time and worked for his father-in-law driving trucks before working for the U.S. Postal Service for 32 years, where he retired as the Superintendent of Mail in Antioch, Calif., in 1992.

Post retirement, Chet and Barbara moved from Antioch where they had raised their children for over 26 years to Greeley Hill. Chet and Barbara were not completely ready for retirement in 1993 and they both worked for Walmart in Sonora, where Chet was the sporting goods manager and Barbara was the personnel manager. They really enjoyed their stress-free jobs and the friendships that they nurtured at Walmart.

He was also very active in their community of Greeley Hill. Chet was a charter member of the Red Cloud Library Board and President from 2006-2007. He also helped with the monthly Greeley Hill community breakfast in the early years. He was an avid Bay Area Sports fan, especially the Giants, Warriors and Raiders. Chet was a proud contributor to the Democratic Party. We all sure hope that there is “real” news in Heaven.

A celebration of Chet’s life will be held on a later date this summer, along with graveside services in Greeley Hill. When the date is chosen, please feel free to celebrate the honorable and loving man that was Chester A. French.

He will be forever loved and missed.

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