Jerry French, age 68, of Valley Mills passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20th at his home surrounded by family and friends. Funeral services will be 11 A.M. Saturday, Sept. 24th at First Baptist Church. Interment will be at Eagle Springs Cemetery under the direction of Foss Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. French was born March 23, 1943 in Oglesby, TX. He was the son of Andy French and Birdie Raborn French. He attended schools in Oglesby and McGregor and served in US Army from March 1963 through February 1969. Mr. French retired from Valley Mills ISD in 2010 and was a member of Oak Grove Baptist church and also recently elected to the Valley Mills City council. He was a member of the Valley Mills Volunteer Fire department where he served as fire chief for many years and was currently serving as assistant fire chief. He received his 35 year service pin on September 13, 2011. He dedicated his life to serving the fire department and helping the community, family and friends, through his volunteer work at the fire department. Through his aiding, rescuing and fighting fires, he has touched infinite lives throughout the community and beyond. Mr. French was preceded in death by his wife Matilda French, four brothers and his parents. Survivors include: his daughters, Sherrie Roberts and fiancé Marvin of Hutto; Lisa French and boyfriend Jerry Fuentes of Valley Mills; step children Amanda Small and husband Toby and Roy (Bubba) Holden all of Gatesville. His sisters, Edna Mae Williams of Milton, FL., Shirley Henning and husband Donald of Clifton, Juanita Sargent of Valley Mills and Mary Keltner of Valley Mills. Grandchildren: Amanda, Aarin, and Sarah Roberts; Colton and Jake Lynch and Cale Bowdoin; TJ, Wyatt and Ryan Small. And numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu, of flowers, donations can be made to the Valley Mills Fire Department or your local volunteer fire department.