Charles George French

He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but lived in Oak Lawn. As a young boy in the 1930’s, he was given reign to wander throughout his small hometown. His playground was the fields of today’s Midway Airport. He particularly enjoyed watching the two-seater biplanes take off and land. In 1937, he experienced his first train ride during the move to New Orleans, Louisiana. He would graduate from Francis T. Nicholls High School on St. Claude Avenue.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He attended four radio and sonar schools before serving aboard the USS Sea Owl (SS-405) submarine in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. At the end of the war, his submarine returned to the Naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. It was in the near-by town of New Britain, on a blind date, that he met Shirley French. After discharge, he married his sweetheart and they moved to Detroit, Michigan. Here, he attended the University of Detroit and was employed by Ford Motor Company. But, New Orleans and family called, so the couple boarded “The City of New Orleans” train and took ownership of a Shell gas station. During these years, he was very involved with the Republican Party. While serving as Corporation President of the Ninth Ward Republicans of the Greater New Orleans area, he made a presentation to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The majority of his life was lived as a Texan. It was the Insurance Industry that drew him. First in Lubbock with Metropolitan Life, then onto Dallas and a move to Employer’s National Life. Joining Republic National Life in 1967, he was named Vice President of Marketing and Special Services. An avid Dallas Cowboys fan, he was known to load up the family station to take as many kids as would fit to those Cotton Bowl games. He was also the General Chairman for the building of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.

He came to Houston in 1985 to work with American General Life Insurance Company as Vice President and retired in 1991. Retirement provided a time in his life to experience careers he developed from his personal interests. As a contractor, he honed his skills building waterfront homes on Galveston Island. He remembered his days as a youngster in Oak Lawn when he was helped by a neighbor to build small plywood projects.

Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church provided many opportunities to serve. He was a member of the Pastoral Council, a Minister of Holy Communion and a very active member of the 55+ Senior Group. While a travel agent, he enjoyed organizing cruises and trips for the benefit of the church.

He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Michelle French Wilson; his parents; his stepfather, Michael DiBetta; his stepbrother, James DiBetta.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Mary Wilson and husband, Michael; his son, Richard French and wife, Rebecca; granddaughters, Melissa Kania and husband, Thomas; Molly French; and great grandsons, William and Matthew Kania.

The family would like to thank the compassionate services of DaVita Dialysis Grand Parkway and Grace Care Center in Katy.

His service will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. Reception to follow at Pappadeaux Restaurant, 10499 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77043.