SGT---US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
Philip Ray France, 92, a resident of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on May 24, 2016.
Phil was born on January 1, 1924, the 2nd of 6 children to Walter and Helen (Carlin) France in South Bend, Indiana and grew up in Selma, Indiana.
Phil was in the U.S. Army in Europe for 3 ½ years, serving in the artillery corps in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. Phil resumed his courtship of Clara Smith after his return from Germany after WWII.
Phil worked as a machinist for Borg Warner Corporation after the war and prior to college. He began attending Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, beginning his college education at the age of 40! He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Arts education. Phil was a shop and driver's education teacher from 1968 to 1976 in Gladwin, Michigan then he and Clara moved to Mesa, Arizona to be near their family. He retired in 1999 from the Glendale School System.
He enjoyed woodworking and mechanical crafts and was a very handy guy to have around. An Eagle Scout, he was also a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners and a Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Phil's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife and family. He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him.
Phil is survived by his wife of 70 years, Clara France; sons David France (Yvonne), Jeffrey France (Ellen); brother James France and sisters Rosemary Simmons, and Vera Broge; grandchildren Derek France, Lisa Dixon, Amie Petrie and Libby Sexton; 9 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
~Courtesy of the Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park
WORLD WAR II
Philip Ray France, 92, a resident of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on May 24, 2016.
Phil was born on January 1, 1924, the 2nd of 6 children to Walter and Helen (Carlin) France in South Bend, Indiana and grew up in Selma, Indiana.
Phil was in the U.S. Army in Europe for 3 ½ years, serving in the artillery corps in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. Phil resumed his courtship of Clara Smith after his return from Germany after WWII.
Phil worked as a machinist for Borg Warner Corporation after the war and prior to college. He began attending Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, beginning his college education at the age of 40! He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Arts education. Phil was a shop and driver's education teacher from 1968 to 1976 in Gladwin, Michigan then he and Clara moved to Mesa, Arizona to be near their family. He retired in 1999 from the Glendale School System.
He enjoyed woodworking and mechanical crafts and was a very handy guy to have around. An Eagle Scout, he was also a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners and a Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Phil's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife and family. He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him.
Phil is survived by his wife of 70 years, Clara France; sons David France (Yvonne), Jeffrey France (Ellen); brother James France and sisters Rosemary Simmons, and Vera Broge; grandchildren Derek France, Lisa Dixon, Amie Petrie and Libby Sexton; 9 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
~Courtesy of the Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park
SGT---US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
Philip Ray France, 92, a resident of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on May 24, 2016.
Phil was born on January 1, 1924, the 2nd of 6 children to Walter and Helen (Carlin) France in South Bend, Indiana and grew up in Selma, Indiana.
Phil was in the U.S. Army in Europe for 3 ½ years, serving in the artillery corps in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. Phil resumed his courtship of Clara Smith after his return from Germany after WWII.
Phil worked as a machinist for Borg Warner Corporation after the war and prior to college. He began attending Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, beginning his college education at the age of 40! He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Arts education. Phil was a shop and driver's education teacher from 1968 to 1976 in Gladwin, Michigan then he and Clara moved to Mesa, Arizona to be near their family. He retired in 1999 from the Glendale School System.
He enjoyed woodworking and mechanical crafts and was a very handy guy to have around. An Eagle Scout, he was also a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners and a Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Phil's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife and family. He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him.
Phil is survived by his wife of 70 years, Clara France; sons David France (Yvonne), Jeffrey France (Ellen); brother James France and sisters Rosemary Simmons, and Vera Broge; grandchildren Derek France, Lisa Dixon, Amie Petrie and Libby Sexton; 9 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
~Courtesy of the Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park
WORLD WAR II
Philip Ray France, 92, a resident of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on May 24, 2016.
Phil was born on January 1, 1924, the 2nd of 6 children to Walter and Helen (Carlin) France in South Bend, Indiana and grew up in Selma, Indiana.
Phil was in the U.S. Army in Europe for 3 ½ years, serving in the artillery corps in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. Phil resumed his courtship of Clara Smith after his return from Germany after WWII.
Phil worked as a machinist for Borg Warner Corporation after the war and prior to college. He began attending Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, beginning his college education at the age of 40! He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Arts education. Phil was a shop and driver's education teacher from 1968 to 1976 in Gladwin, Michigan then he and Clara moved to Mesa, Arizona to be near their family. He retired in 1999 from the Glendale School System.
He enjoyed woodworking and mechanical crafts and was a very handy guy to have around. An Eagle Scout, he was also a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners and a Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Phil's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife and family. He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him.
Phil is survived by his wife of 70 years, Clara France; sons David France (Yvonne), Jeffrey France (Ellen); brother James France and sisters Rosemary Simmons, and Vera Broge; grandchildren Derek France, Lisa Dixon, Amie Petrie and Libby Sexton; 9 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
~Courtesy of the Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park
Bio by: Blue Star Mom
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
