Services for Major Gerald M. “Jerry” French, USAF Ret’d., 94 of Lufkin, will be Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 2pm at Gipson Funeral Home with Bro. Jim Housley and Bro. David Wood officiating. Interment will be held at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with military honors.
Mr. French was born July 29, 1924 in Tyrone, Oklahoma, the son of the late Jimmie and Pearl (Miller) French. He passed away Friday, September 28, 2018 in Lufkin. He was raised on a cattle ranch in Campo, Colorado and graduated at 16 years old from Liberal Kansas School. He joined the United States Air Force in June of 1941, but could not get his wings until he turned 18. Jerry was the youngest flight commander leading over Europe. He flew his 50th mission on D-Day at Normandy. He and his crew were the only ones to come back from the 450th Bomb Group with all original members. Jerry came home from Europe in 1944. Aside from WWII, he was also active duty during the Korean Conflict flying 35 missions and Vietnam, where he would fly the new troops over and wounded and deceased soldiers back home. He retired from the US Air Force in 1964 with 23 years of service. In later years, he worked as a flight instructor for commercial airlines; he retired from American Airlines at 74 years of age. Mr. French was a faithful member of Heritage Baptist Church and the Lufkin Lions Club.
Survivors include his wife, Martha (Wood) French; daughters, Paula Joan French, Jeri Lee French, Barbara Richardson and husband Barry, and Wendy Cartlidge and husband Robert; stepchildren, Sabrina Horn and husband Robert, Laura DeCarlo, Clay Pickard, Beth Pickard, Jody Pickard and wife Tina, & Eric Pickard; sister, Dorothy Knight; fifteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; along with numerous other relatives and friends.
Mr. French was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and Pearl French; brother, Raymond French; sisters, Margie French and Wilma French; wife, Patricia French; and wife, Leara French.
The family will receive friends Monday, October 1, from 6-8pm at Gipson Funeral Home.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
