C. Nelson French Jr.

C. Nelson French, Jr., age 99, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024. Nelson was born on September 6, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Charles and Helen (Albaugh) French. He was preceded in death by his wife Emagean (Emmy) and Stepson Gary Kerr. Nelson was a 1943 graduate of Upper Arlington High School and completed one year of college at Ohio State University, before going to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to earn his BS in Engineering in 1948. He continued his military service from 1948-53 with the U.S. Army, mostly as Nuclear Officer of Armed Forces and Special Weapons Project. He started his professional career working at Battelle from 1953-58 in Paten Licensing & Management Consulting and from 1958-2000 he was Founder, Chairman/CEO of Basic Distribution Corp. Throughout his business career, Nelson was President and Director of Distributors Software Group, Board of Directors for National Assoc. of Electrical Distributors, Chmn. Govt. Affairs Comm, Affiliated Distributors Network Chmn, Long Range Planning Comm, Leadership Award; Ohio Small Business Council- Bd. Chmn; White House Conference on Small Business- Ohio Delegate; Ohio Chamber of Commerce- Bd. & Exec, Comm; Blue Cross of Central Ohio/Central Benefits Mutual Insurance Co. Volunteer work was very important to Nelson. He was a member of Columbus Rotary Club for 63 years, Past President of Columbus Rotary Club, District Governor, Team Leader/Group Study Exchange/England; 87-year member of First Community Church, Chmn. Board of Deacons, Chmn. Governing Board and Board of Directors for First Community Village; President of Upper Arlington Booster Club and a Member of Scioto Country Club. On May 12, 1969 Nelson married the love of his life Emagean Kerr. Together they had 7 children. Nelson will be deeply missed by his loving children Michael French, Andrew Kerr, Terri French, Pat French, K.C. (French) St. Louis, and Dennis Kerr; 5 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating Nelson will be held at 4:30 PM, Thursday, November 7, 2024 at First Community Church – South Campus, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., where family will receive friends immediately following service until 6PM. Nelsons service will be streamed live on First Community Church's site at https://fcchurch.com/live/. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the Nelson and Emmy French Media Support Fund #54119 at First Community Foundation at https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/a691aa36-29b1-42f5-89f1-cb63c15a2c09 or to Hope Thru Housing Inc., a long-term residential substance abuse program for men and women in Columbus at https://funraise.org/give/Hope-Thru-Housing-Inc./246f6733-8fec-49f4-b7b9-d5cbe3beed7b/.