Chester French

In 1904, Chester T. French moved to Albuquerque from East Tennessee. He brought his brother to the dry climate because he had tuberculosis. His brother died shortly after his move, but Chester French fell in love with Albuquerque and decided to make it his home. In 1907, he founded French Mortuary because he had a strong desire to be in the business of helping people. He became very involved in the Community, providing leadership and serving on the boards of many civic and charitable organizations. He was an active member of First Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School class for 40 years. In the late 1920’s, he visited Forest Lawn Cemetery in California and dreamed of building a park-like cemetery in Albuquerque. In 1929, his dream became reality when Sunset Memorial Park was established and became the first perpetual care cemetery in New Mexico. He was committed to building a beautiful cemetery with a strong Perpetual Care Trust Fund. Today, each family who uses Sunset Memorial Park can be confident about the future since the Trust Fund is now approximately $7,000,000. Today French Funerals-Cremations is Albuquerque’s oldest and largest family-owned and operated funeral service company. Chester French Stewart, Robert H. Stewart and Richard T. Stewart, grandsons of Chester T. French, are still actively involved in the family business. Currently, the FRENCH Family of Companies has five owners: Chester French Stewart, Robert H. Stewart, Karl Saltzman, D.F. “Duffy” Swan, Chairman and Tom E. Antram, President & CEO. These men continue the legacy of Mr. French, providing leadership for the FRENCH Family of Companies, and serving our community with their personal involvement. Over a century of serving the needs of families has taught us that we all share something we can keep forever: our memories and the experiences we’ve shared. Every service is a celebration of a life richly lived.The French Family of Companies consists of FRENCH Funerals-Cremations, French Advance Planning, Sunset Memorial Park and Best Friends Pet Cremation Services. We look forward to the next 100 years of service to this community.

Chester French

February 5, 1882 - September 27, 1966