Gaylon A. French, son of Howard and Hazel (Raver) French, was born January 20, 1933 in Sioux Falls. He grew up and graduated from high school in Canton, SD. He then entered the Army. After his honorable military discharge, Gaylon returned to South Dakota and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where he also worked at Grear Motors.

In December of 1954 he was united in marriage to Beverly Suitor in Luverne, MN. The couple later made their home in Canton where Gaylon was the magistrate judge. The couple then moved to Sioux Falls where Gaylon worked for the Penitentiary for over 22 years. He then worked at Star Mark Manufacturing for a few years before becoming a Federal Policeman for the Veterans Administration and hospital, retiring after 15 years due to ill health.

He was a member of the South Dakota Peace Officers Association, being past president.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Beverly, two sons, James (Laura) French, Salt Lake City, UT, Michael French, Sioux Falls, SD, two daughters, Deborah (Steven) Caruso, and Patti (Dan) Sahr, Sioux Falls, SD, both of Sioux Falls, five grandchildren, a brother, Darrell (Beulah) French, Canton and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services 3:00 pm Tuesday at First United Methodist Church. Interment at Woodlawn Cemtery.

Visitation begins at 1:00 pm Monday with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Miller Funeral Home Downtown.