James Wayne French

James Wayne (“Jimmy”) French, 91, passed away in Claremore, Oklahoma, on November 17, 2022.

Jimmy was born to Horace Wayne and Lela Bell McDaniel French on May 8, 1931 in Dallas, Texas.  Jimmy attended school in Dallas, Texas, Gainesville, Texas and graduated from Hollywood High School in Hollywood, California.  He served in the United States Navy on a naval ship during the Korean War, visiting many countries around the world.  Jimmy worked as an engineer for the Cotton Belt Route of the Southern Pacific Railroad for many years.  He had a great love for boating, owning many throughout his life and he loved to take his family out on the water.

Survivors include his wife, Roby Oslin French, of Grove, Oklahoma, his daughters Lori Mead and husband Mike of Dallas, Texas, and Lynda Bentley and husband Jeff of Gainesville, Texas, his grandsons Zachary Bentley of Denton, Texas, and Bristol Bentley of Gainesville, Texas, his stepson Mack Hays and wife Ann of Sarasota, Florida, and his sister Peggy Brown of Gainesville, Texas, as well as many loving cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Lela French, and wife Eleanor Jeanne Rein French.

Visitation will be at 1pm followed by the funeral service at 2pm on Tuesday, November 22nd at George J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home, 602 S. Lindsay Street, Gainesville, Texas, followed by graveside services at the Fairview Cemetery located at 710 Fair Avenue, Gainesville, Texas.  Father Jeff Stubbs of St. Pauls’ Episcopal Church will officiate.

Jim and Roby attended services at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 555 East Third Street, Grove, Oklahoma 74344.