Jim French, 84, died May 19, 2011.

He was born in Wedowee, Ala. to the late Jimmie Francis and Glema Leola French.

Jim attended Jacksonville State College in Jacksonville, Ala. for one year, then Mercer University in Macon for two years and Georgia Tech in Atlanta for three and a half years majoring in civil engineering and industrial engineering. He graduated in the upper five percent of his class and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Throughout his life he worked for Southern Bell as a traffic engineer, Lockheed Aircraft as a manufacturing engineer, Southeastern Engineering and 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 three years. He was a registered professional engineer and licensed real estate broker.

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.

Jim was active and involved with many area boards and organizations.

He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Forsyth County, Sawnee Association of the Arts and the Forsyth County Humane Society.

He was a lieutenant (junior grade) of the U.S. Navy, where he was active duty in the research and development on the U.S.S. Winslow. His hobbies included traveling, photography, boating, fishing and crafts.

Survivors include his wife, Sally S. French of Cumming; sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and Diane French of West Brookfield, Mass., Rob and Kathy Avery of Alpharetta; daughters and son-in-law, Carol Spann of Dunwoody, Reagan Young of Decatur, Jim and Beth Ryan of Clarksville, Md.; brother and sister-in-law, Gerson and Sara French; grandchildren, Alex French and Peter French of West Brookfield, Mass, Megan Spann of Dunwoody, Taylor Young of Decatur, Ryan Avery and Will Avery, both of Alpharetta, Andrew Ryan and Ashley Ryan, both of Clarksville, Md.; aunt, Louis Woodham of Wedowee, Ala.; uncle, Henry Alton French of Wedowee, Ala.; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. May 23 at Ingram Funeral Home Chapel.

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

Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory of Cumming was in charge of the arrangements.