Edgard (“Frenchy”) Dutry was born July 28, 1936 in Brussels, Belgium to Emile Dutry and Jeanne Beguin. The family lived in Brussels where Frenchy’s dad had a furniture shop. He was the youngest of 3 children. He was a typical boy and then some! When he was 9 years old, he was enrolled in a private all boys boarding school in a town outside of Brussels. His parents would go get him every 2 or 3 weeks for the weekend. He loved trains and playing soccer. Swimming was a requirement in school. He loved to swim and was the school champion swimmer at age 14. He and his friends would swim in the canal and then jump on the merchant’s barges and hitch a ride and then do the same on the way back. When he as teen, he was a sharp dresser. He describes himself as shy, but we all know better. One Sunday he had 3 dates with different girls. Frenchy raced bicycles at age 16 in the Velodrome. He built his own bike. World War II was going on when Frenchy was very young. The Germans wanted his father to go work for them. When he refused, the Germans broke into their house and destroyed things many times. He saw his father held at gun point, they fled from their home and his father jumped on top of him in the streets to avoid gun fire. They rescued an American pilot and helped smuggle a Jewish friend. Frenchy was drafted in the Belgium Army in 1956 stationed in Germany. After the army, Frenchy was 21 years old when he immigrated to America in 1958. His sister Jeannine sponsored him. She had met and married an American soldier and was living in Paris, Idaho. It took him one year to get his Visa. When he arrived, there was 4 feet of snow and the temperature was well below zero. He had a cardboard suitcase and the equivalent of $50 to his name. He learned English by watching soap operas. He took odd jobs and then began working for Brunswick. Within a year, he had his own crew and was building bowling alleys all over. He was 25 years old when he married Joyce Beck in 1962. They settled in Paris and lived in the basement of his sister’s house for awhile. Later they rented a small home. Michelle was born in 1963. Due to his travel, Frenchy and Joyce moved to Twin Falls in 1964 where he was more centrally located. Trent was born in 1966 and then Gina in 1968. Frenchy worked for Brunswick for 6 years. Because of the failing popularity of bowling, he left and got a job for Nielsen Miller Construction helping build bridges. He became a superintendent after a short time. After the two partners separated, he continued to work for Miller Construction for 17 ½ years. He travelled extensively in Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming. He was the superintendent on the Perrine Bridge here in Twin Falls and walked on the arch. He can tell you every statistic about the building of that bridge, including how many yards of concrete, how much rebar, and how many times he may have fallen or jumped in the nets. In 1983 he became self employed doing remodeling and additions on homes. He retired in 2000 but continued making furniture (like his father) for customers and for pleasure. He married NaJean Russell in 1990 and he built and completed their home in 1991. He planted over 100 trees and did all the landscaping. Their home was in the Twin Falls Garden Tour several times. Frenchy loved having a garden. He raised many vegetables and giant pumpkins for the grandkids. He took a class at CSI and started his own compost pile. He planted over 100 tomato plants and would sell tomatoes and cucumbers out of his large shop on the property. People would come back year after year for his produce. Frenchy and NaJean travelled to Belgium, Germany, Italy, Venice, France, Hawaii and many more places. He became a US citizen in 1994 when he was 57. He said it was too expensive to keep renewing his green card. Frenchy loved bowling and practically lived at the bowling alley participating on several leagues. He made long lasting friendships there. He continued lap swimming almost every day until his shoulders wore out. He was a great dad and grandpa and was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved to hear about their accomplishments and see pictures. He made it to his 89th birthday and was called him on July 30, 2025 after a significant decline in health. He is survived by his children Michelle (Lee) Morrow, Trent (Sherri) Dutry, Gina (Cory) Anderson, 9 grandchildren, 5 great children, sister Jeannine Parker. He was predeceased by his wife, sister and parents.
Rosenau Funeral Home & Crematory
Rosenau Funeral Home & Crematory
Sunset Memorial Park
Visits: 103
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors