Clyde Kingdon French

Clyde was born in Grinnell, Iowa to William and Achsa French on April 28, 1927. After attending Grinnell High School, he graduated from University of California, Berkley. Between high school and college, Clyde joined the Army Air Force and became a pilot, serving in World War II.

Clyde’s long life was filled with many exciting adventures, allowing him to live in places such as Grinnell Iowa, Ft. Worth Texas, San Francisco and Oakland California, Brownsville Texas, Atlanta Georgia, Knoxville Tennessee, Baltimore Maryland, Ponce Puerto Rico, Durham North Carolina, Keller Texas, and North Richland Hills Texas.

His career saw him working as a manager for Kresge/Kmart, a member of the faculty at Grinnell College, and an entrepreneur for French’s Variety, Quick Chef, Judge Roy Bean, and Dairy Barn.

Clyde was an adventurous soul who didn’t like keeping his feet on the ground for long periods of time. His passion for aviation started as a young boy who would ride his bike to the airfield, hoping to watch a few planes take off. After serving in the Army Air Force he continued to fly smaller planes for several years, even building a Sky Pup ultralight in his garage. He loved to travel to Oshkosh, WI for their big airshow and was thrilled when his son began building his own plane, a Fokker Tri-plane. He relished those times at the hanger, chatting with his son and the other pilots.

After deciding once more that he had been on land for too long, Clyde bought his boat, a 42 Cape Dory. He named her ‘The Raven’ after a hangout from his youth. First he sailed it locally, then moved her to Trinity Bay/Galveston Bay. His family enjoyed many extended weekends on the “big water” while Clyde and The Raven stayed relatively local. Later he took The Raven out across the Gulf of Mexico, to Panama, Columbia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Cuba, the Bahamas and to many small islands in the Caribbean.

Anytime you saw Clyde he was probably wearing one of four tops: a sweatshirt that had to do with flying, a t-shirt regarding sailing, gear supporting the United States or his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes merch. The rest of his closet was filled with Hawaiian shirts. Next time you sport one of these styles, consider giving him a quick thought as you rock his look.

Clyde was proud of his children and of all their accomplishments, but his heart grew ten times when his grandchildren came along. He never declined attending any of their events, be it concerts, shows, games, races, plays and more. They put a twinkle in his eyes for sure.

Clyde is preceded in death by his parents William and Achsa, his brothers John and Guy, and his wife Fran.

Clyde is survived by his children Adrienne, Renee, Cindy, DeeDee and William, 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Memorials in his name may be made to the USO.