Clyde Kingdon French, 96 years old, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023. A Graveside service will be held 2:00 PM on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Hazelwood Cemetery.

Clyde was born in Grinnell, Iowa to William and Achsa French on April 28, 1927. After attending

Grinnell High School, he graduated from the 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 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 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. He began by taking The

Raven from Texas across the Gulf of Mexico, then to Florida for a short time before venturing to

Guatemala for a year. Afterwards he continued to Colombia where he also spent a couple of

years.

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 may be made to the USO.