Jim French

Jim French, age 84, of Cumming, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2011. He was born in Wedowee, AL to his parents, Jimmie Francis and Glema Leola French who preceded in him death.

Jim attended Jacksonville State College in Jacksonville, AL for one year, then Mercer University in Macon, GA for two years and Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA for three and one-half years majoring in Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering. He graduated in the Upper 5% of his Class and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Throughout Jim's life he worked for Southern Bell as a Traffic Engineer, Lockheed Aircraft as a Manufacturing Engineer, Southeastern Engineering & Manufacturing Company as President and General Manager, Rich's, Inc. as Operating Superintendent, Duncan Realty for seven years as a Realtor, Coldwell Banker French Properties for 20 years as President, Broker and Sales Associate, and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage for 3 years. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and Licensed Real Estate Broker with the following designations: GRI (Graduate, Real Estate Institute), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), CRB (Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager) and PE (Registered Professional Engineer).

Jim was a member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, Georgia and National Society of Professional Engineers, Georgia Industrial Development Association, 400 North Board of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, Realtors National Marketing Institute and the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. Prior to Jim coming to Forsyth County he served on the Stone Mountain Industrial Park Association as Secretary, Vice President, President from 1973 to 1975 and was a member of the Board of Directors for 5 years, the Stone Mountain Trade Fair as Co-Chairman for 1974 and 1975, the Stone Mountain Rotary Club as treasurer from1975 to 1976, president elect 1976 to 1977, President, 1977 to 1978, member of the District Finance Committee in 1978, District Publicity Chairman in 1978, District Conference Housing and Registration Chairman in 1979, a Paul Harris Fellow in 1979, and was Rotarian of the Year in 1979. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Dekalb Resolution Center (Family Counseling Center), member of Dekalb County Manpower Planning Council and CETA program as Vice Chairman and a member of the Advisory Council for Vocational Education for Dekalb Community College and Dekalb County Board of Education.

When Jim located to Forsyth County he was active with the Forsyth Area Board of Realtors serving as Director from 1981 to present, State Director 1985 to 1987, 1989, 1990 to 1992, Treasurer 1983, President Elect 1984, President (twice) 1985 and 1992, Chairman of the Zoning Overview Committee, Chairman of the Community Activities Committee, Chairman of the Awards Committee, Chairman of the Nominating Committee for eight years, chairman of several standing committees and member of the State Association Committees of Membership, Professional Standards and By-Laws and Policy. He served on the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce as Director from 1983 to 1987 and 1992 to 1994, as Vice President, President Elect 1985 and President 1986. Jim was director of the Sawnee Community Center from 1984 to 1997 and served as chairman, Membership and Fund Raising Committee in 1985, chairman, Building Feasibility Committee in 1987, Vice President 1986 and 1987, President in 1988 and chairman of Building Committee for New Building 1989-1992. Jim was a member of the Rotary Club of Forsyth County, Sawnee Association of the Arts and the Forsyth County Humane Society.

Jim held national positions with the American Institute of Industrial Engineers serving as President of the Atlanta Chapter, National Vice President, General Chairman of National Conference and Convention, and National Director of Meeting; with Alpha Pi Mu, National Industrial Engineering Honor Society serving as Founder, National Executive Secretary for 11 years, National Vice President for two years, National President for two years, National Advisory Board for 29 years and editor of national magazine for nine years. He was a member of the Executive Council for 12 years with the National Association of College Honors Societies.

Jim had college honors with Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Leadership and Scholarship Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, National Scholarship Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society, Alpha Pi Mu, National Industrial Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon, National Civil Engineering Honor Society, Pi Delta Epsilon, National Journalism Honor Society and Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Jim was a Lieutenant (Jr. Grade) of the U. S. Navy, where he was active duty in the Research and Development on the U.S.S. Winslow. His hobbies include traveling, photography, boating, fishing and crafts.

Survivors include his wife, Sally S. French of Cumming, GA; sons and daughter-in-laws Tom and Diane French of West Brookfield, MA, and Rob and Kathy Avery of Alpharetta, GA; daughters and a son-in-law, Carol Spann of Dunwoody, GA, Reagan Young of Decatur, GA, and Jim and Beth Ryan of Clarksville, MD; brother and sister-in-law, Gerson and Sara French; grandchildren, Alex French and Peter French both of West Brookfield, MA, Megan Spann of Dunwoody, GA, Taylor Young of Decatur, GA, Ryan Avery and Will Avery both of Alpharetta, GA, Andrew Ryan and Ashley Ryan both of Clarksville, MD; aunt, Lois Woodham of Wedowee, AL; Uncle, Henry Alton French of Wedowee, AL; and a number of other relatives also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, May 23rd at Ingram Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home on Monday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Rotary Club of Forsyth, P. O Box 57, Cumming, GA 30028.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.