Menu
Don French
CHARLESTON, Mo. — Donald Brown French, age 83, a resident of Charleston, died Sunday, March 22, 2020.
He was born July 4, 1936, in Asheville, N.C., to Oliver B. and Jennie Lane Brown French Sr. Moving to Charleston in 1942, he was a 1954 graduate of Charleston High School then received his bachelor of science degree in agriculture from University of Missouri/Columbia where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Following completion of a master’s degree in accounting from Washington University in St. Louis, his National Guard Unit of Festus, Missouri, was mobilized into active service at Fort Benning, Ga. Returning to Charleston after his discharge, he was manager and co-owner with Jim French and Renee` DeKriek of the John Deere Equipment dealership, known as French Implement Company, until his retirement. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Charleston and the Charleston Country Club where he was an avid golfer.
On June 11, 1960, he married Anna Marie Duff, who survives of the home.
Also surviving are three children, Boyd and Kim French of Columbia, Mark and Jackie French of Webster Groves, and Molly and Matthew Morrow of Charleston; 10 grandchildren, Nathan French, Hampton French, Drew (Katy) French, Caroline French, Dawson French, Sam French, Lane Morrow, Maggie Morrow, Jack Brauer, and Ford Brauer; one brother, Frank (Virginia) French, M.D., of Chapel Hill, N.C., and sisters-in-law, Pat Wheeler of Nixa and Rita Stuckey of Benton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Oliver French Jr. and Bob French.
Private funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.
Online condolences may be shared at mcmiklefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Charleston Civic Project Inc., Rolwing Park Playground Equipment Fund, c/o Charleston City Hall, 204 N. Main St. (or place in drop box), Charleston, MO 63834 or the United Methodist Church, PO Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834.
Paid obituary