Lt. Col. (USAF Ret.) Charles E. French

September 3, 1920-December 1, 2013

Columbus, Georgia- LtCol (USAF Ret) Charles E. French, age 93, resident of Columbus, died on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Columbus Hospice House. Cryptside services are scheduled at Chapel of the Pines Mausoleum, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus on Friday, December 6, 2013, 3 p.m. with Chaplain Dan MacMinn officiating, according to Striffler-Hamby, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, December 5, 2013 from 5-7 p.m.

Lt Col French, son of the late Cyril G. French and Lillian Pearl Johnson French, was born September 3, 1920 in Brundidge, Alabama and later attended and graduated from Columbus High School. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force where he served more than 22 years of honorable service. During his distinguished career, LtCol French served as a Command Pilot, with over 6000 hours in the C-0130, DC-4, DC-3, B-29, B-24, and B17 aircraft. Of those flying missions, he logged over 600 combat hours in ETO and Korea. He also flew on the Berlin Airlift mission and in Southeast Asia. LtCol French received numerous medals and awards for his exemplary service to include the Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal (w/1SLC and 1OLC); Air Force Commendation Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asian Pacific Campaign Medal; Euro-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; and Army of Occupation Medal. After retirement from the military, he was actively involved in several civic activities including a member of the Dauphin Way Toastmasters Club, Mobile, Alabama; President, Columbus Exchange Club; President, Better Business Bureau, Chattahoochee Valley; Vice Chairman and member of the Columbus Airport Commission for four years; and President, Retired Officer's Association, Chattahoochee Valley. He was in the real estate business for over 18 years and was Founder and President of French-Whitten Realtors, Inc. LtCol French was actively involved in the real estate industry, serving as President (twice) and one of the founders, Realty Multi List; held all offices of the Columbus Board of Realtors; and was Vice President of the Georgia Association of Realtors. He was also a member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church.

Lt Col French was preceded in death by a son, Charles Gilbert French. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Naomi French of Columbus; one daughter, Pam Carson and her husband Bob of Fayetteville, Georgia; one son, Lloyd W. French of West Point, Georgia; nine granddaughters, Janice Donner and her husband Brooks, Heather Carson, Amber Hof, Jennifer Speegle and her husband Rodney, Kristina Newberry and her husband David, Michelle Cross, Brandi French, Heaven French, Demetria William and her husband Eric; nine great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Columbus Hospice House at www.columbushospice.com or Valley Rescue Mission, Inc. 2903 2nd Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31901. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.