Jean Vidal

Jean Leon Vidal passed away August 12 2017. He was 87 years old. Jean was born in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, on August 25, 1929. He spent the first 10 years of his life in Santa Rosalia, Mexico. In 1939 he moved with his parents to France, and lived the next 10 years there. His father was in a P.O.W. camp in Germany from 1940 to 1943 so it was a very difficult time. Jean graduated from California Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953. A year later he married Joy Richardson, whom he met traveling to France on the ship La Liberté. Jean worked for the Richardson Scale Company for 10 years, including a two year service in the US Army. He and Joy moved to Guaymas, Mexico in 1963, where he managed a shipyard, a shrimp fishing fleet, and a marine motors business. Jean taught himself electronics, and could repair almost anything mechanical, electrical, or electronic. Joy and Jean moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1992. Joy and Jean were married for 62 years. Jean lovingly cared for Joy and stayed at her side during the 12+ years of her struggle with Alzheimer’s and never recovered from losing her in March. He will be dearly missed and our wonderful memories will keep him forever in our hearts and thoughts. Jean is survived by his children Danielle (Bob) Riggs, Michelle (Kent) Piepgrass, Anthony (Helene) Vidal, and Nicole (Steven) Masley. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: John and Timothy Riggs, Jens and Niels (Jessica) Piepgrass, Kristen Piepgrass (David) Howell, Jean-Luc, Gisele, and Renee Vidal, and Lucas and Marcos Masley.