Lifford Easley French

The funeral service for Lifford Easley French, 90, of Athens will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at McConnell Funeral Home with the Rev. David Palmer, the Rev. Jaina Anderson, the Rev. Mitchell McCormick, and the Rev. Marvin McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery.

Visitation is from 5-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. French passed away Monday, June 6, 2011, at Huntsville Hospital.

Lifford Easley French was born Sept. 7, 1920, in Athens to John Hector French and Mary Agnes Easley French.

He was Limestone County's most highly decorated World War II veteran. A staff sergeant in the 8th Air Force, 381st Bomb Group, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, America's second highest award for heroism, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Unit Badge, European Theater of Operations Medal, and Bronze Star.

He worked in construction, and specialized in Charolais cattle farming and land acquisition along Old Decatur and Huntsville roads.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, John Hector French Jr.

Mr. French is survived by his wife of 40 years. Doris W. French; stepdaughters, Cheryl Copeland Louderback, Beverly Copeland Carmichael and husband Don, and Doris Copeland Schutes and husband Jeff; step-grandchildren, Miriam Tolbert and husband Josh, Olivia Daily and husband Rhett, Lauren Louderback, Allison Schutes, and Hope Carmichael; great-granddaughter, Peyton Tolbert; and sister, Mary Dean French Cox.

Pallbearers will be Don Carmichael, Johnny French, David Hargrove, Mason McCarey, Matt Napier, Jeff Schutes and Kenny Terry.

Honorary pallbearers will be Theo Calvin, David Christopher, Frank Lutz, Angie Nazaretian, John Plunk, Ray Terry, and Charles Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Athens, the Alabama Veterans Museum, or the charity of your choice.