TREVIS FRENCH

Trevis Clark French passed away, unexpectedly, the afternoon of Thanksgiving 2021. He was born Dec. 5, 1966 in Libby, Montana and grew up on a ranch in Salmon, Idaho. He graduated from Salmon High School with honors in 1985. Throughout his youth, he was active in many activities including church and youth group, 4-H Livestock, cross country, track, and wrestling, along with full time work on the ranch. Trevis attended college at Western Montana College, Dillon, Mt. He graduated in 1989, with very high honors achieving double majors, Math and Industrial Arts. During his junior and senior years, he tutored other college students in their math classes.

While at college, he met and married the love of his life, Shannon Selway in 1988.
They have 2 children, Shatrea and Zachary. Shatrea is a Registered Nurse in Palmdale, Ca. Zachary lives in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. and owns a business called Southern Designs and Repair.

In 1989, Trevis started his 32 years of teaching Algebra and Geometry in Joe Walker Middle School Stealth Academy in Lancaster, CA. In 1991 and 1992, Trevis taught math in Libby, Mt. then returned to CA.

Trevis touched many students’ hearts over the years. Each year, several students expressed their appreciation for his excellent teaching ability and thanked him for inspiring them to go into math careers. A student recently shared with him, “I hated math until I was a student in your class. Now I’m a math teacher!” Trevis was honored in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He was honored as “Teacher of the Year” on multiple occasions. A quote from his daughter, “Dad put his heart and soul into teaching. It would bring him so much joy watching his students succeed in school, and in life.” A quote from his son, “I’ve always been inspired by my father, from his knowledge, to his ability to create a beautiful work of art. He always had a special way of helping people understand something from a different perspective: “The bigger picture”. I’m proud to say that my dad helped me realize that I could be capable of creating beautiful works of art just as he did!”

Every summer Trevis came home to help on the ranch - working with cattle, harvesting hay crops, etc. Trevis was a talented artist designing handcrafted works in leather, metal, and wood such as a lathed turned queen size bed. One of his most beloved creations is a large wall hanging Grandfather clock Trevis made for his parents. They enjoy hearing the melody of the chimes and reminder of another beautiful day. Trevis shared God’s beauty in capturing pictures of the Salmon Valley sunsets illuminating the Bitterroot mountains.

He loved working with animals but was constantly helping people. He purchased stacks of $5 food gift cards to give to people in need. He shared his favorite Christian music with family and friends, including his favorite music to our minister at Calvary Chapel in Salmon. That was his way of sharing life, faith, and hope with others.

Trevis leaves behind his wife - Shannon, children - Shatrea and Zachary (Emily), parents - Dan and Eileen French, brothers - Kip (Crystal) and Chris (Karen), sister Koryn (daughters Anna, Mariah, and Sarah). along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, friends, and “his kids” (students) from the past and present.

Trevis has joined those waiting in heaven - grandparents Bill and Minnie Clark, and aunt Mary Olson from Salmon, Id., grandparents Edgar and Phyllis French from Plains, Montana, and all those loving relatives who have gone before.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.