Byron French

Byron Lloyd French, born May 14, 1948, left us on the night of October 17, 2019 and made his journey home to be with the love of his life, Donna, leaving behind 3 grandkids and 5 great- grandkids. Byron and Donna married November 7,1992; they spent 35years together. Byron was a cornea provider and battled cancer for the past 2 years; he was strong and fought hard. Byron lived a long fruitful life having the opportunity to work many different jobs. He told exciting stories of being an ambulance driver, a fireman, volleyball coach, truck driver. He was most proud of his title as grandfather. He was always energetic, loved to walk, no matter how hot or cold it was outside; he enjoyed the fresh air. Byron was an outdoors guy, loved fishing, and often neighbors would see him packing up all his fishing gear early in the morning and walking up to Lake Elmo. While out on his many walks during the day, if he saw anyone needing help, he would always offer his assistance. Byron and Donna took a special interest in helping raise their grandson Mike; from the day he was born they loved to have him with them. Donna and Byron didn't have any children together so when Mike was born he gave them a chance to be parents. Donna and Byron had so many pictures and stories of Mike as a baby and him growing up. Byron took Mike on many fishing trips and as Mike got older they still did their best to help guide him along the way. They made it to high school basketball games proudly wearing T-shirts and pins with Mike's picture on it. In 2004, Byron welcomed his very 1st great-grandson, Daylon. He didn't get to meet him until he was 3 months old, but from that moment on he did everything he could for that baby boy. Byron and Donna would have sleep overs and rent movies. They spoiled him with sweets and staying up late, stuff he didn't get at home. Byron always said his life started back over when his great grandsons were born. In 2007 their 2nd grandson was born, Romeo. For Byron and Donna it was like having Mike all over again. They adored him. Romeo spent the last 10 years as Byron's side kick, walking with him on weekends and all summer long, many fishing and Walmart trips, movie nights and staying up late. He practically lived with them until he started kindergarten. After Romeo started school he spent every weekend and summers with Donna and Byron. Byron's birthday cards to Romeo were always signed "To my best friend/side kick". Byron loved to thrift shop. His great grandsons developed the love of thrift shopping from their many trips to Goodwill with Byron. Byron had an eye for hidden treasures, toys and bikes, binoculars and crazy shirts. When his 3rd grandson was born in 2014, Matai, Byron not once let the fact he was older stop him from getting on the floor and playing with him. Matai soon became Byron and Romeo's 3rd musketeer. When Matai was a toddler and old enough to stay the night, Byron would take late night Walmart trips and let Matai get a toy. Matai would beg him to do his Donald Duck voice, which became a ritual when we would leave. In 2016 Donna and Byron welcomed their 4th grandson, Kaleo. Kaleo soon left us and went to heaven on Byron's birthday, May 14, 2014, when he was 3 months old. In 2017 Byron and Donna welcomed their 5th and 6th grandsons. Bryceton and Miles were born a week apart in June of 2017. Now that Byron was older late night Walmart trips were no longer on the table but he sure made sure he still got down on the floor to play. Bryceton loved going to visit Byron at his apartment. Byron had a corner full of toys that he saved from the time his oldest great grandson was born in 2004. Those toys were old but Byron sure took good care of them. Byron let Bryceton run around and play with the toys and run around in his room. Byron always had snacks ready for his tiny visitor. He was sure proud of Mike for being such a great man and father; Byron was a big part of who Mike turned out to be, watching Mike with his son Bryceton made him very happy. Mike was like a son to Byron. Anything Mike did made him proud. Byron made sure everyone knew who Bryceton was and introduced him to everyone. Bryceton would get so sad and mad when it was time to leave; he enjoyed his time with his great grandpa. Miles was a week younger than Bryceton and the smallest of the bunch. Byron called him a little chunky mouse because he was short and chunky and had tiny hands like a mouse. When Miles was a year old Byron got him a toy knife and gun for Christmas. From that moment on Miles was obsessed. During Byron's many thrift store outings alone he would always find toy weapons for Miles. When Byron would pull up to the house in his loud car, Miles knew it was Byron and stood in the living room window and yelled “PAPA” and got so excited when he saw Byron walking in with Walmart bags. Miles knew he was getting a gun, knife or a treat. Byron was proud to be a Veteran. serving for 11 years in the army, fighting in Vietnam. He sustained many injuries during that war; he told stories of battles which intrigued all the grandkids. He and Donna enjoyed traveling to powwows for Stickgame. He would always bring his army uniform and walk grand entry as a veteran and was so honored to carry a flag. He had dozens of army pins and a story for each pin. Byron's family was from California but lived in North Dakota. He often spoke of them, sharing stories of growing up. He sure missed them but wouldn't take the trip there because he was devoted to his family here. Last year Byron got to take a trip to see his family. He took tons of pictures during his trip and when he came home he shared them with his grandkids and great grandkids. Byron touched many lives in his lifetime. He made many people smile; he was a kind soul who tried his best to live in God's grace. He will be truly missed. He was the patriarch in our family and put his family first. He was a great provider and a honest man of God. Byron is survived by his mother Marilyn Evelyn Tweed; step-daughter Martina (Ka) Dia, grandkids, Michael (Precious) Hart, Hiliary (Ira) Norunner, Zachary Hart; brothers and sisters, Marshall (Bev) French of Valley City, ND, Rodger (Patti) French of Walcott, ND, Arlen (Donna) French of Fargo, ND, Ruby Deminck (Larry Steidl) of Fingal, ND, Reginald (Michelle) Tweed of Garrison, ND, and many more family from Alberta, Canada and Browning, Montana. He was preceded in death by father Sylvester French, stepmother Mary French, stepfather Reuben Tweed and brothers Charles, Robert, and Luane French, granddaughter Cassie Hart, and a great grandson Kaleo Norunner. "May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars".