Funeral services for Jackie Claude French, 72, were held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Bro. Bob Sullivan officiated. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery with U.S. Army Honors. Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, with the family present, at the funeral home. Mr. French passed away on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Houston Methodist West Hospital. Jackie Claude French was born in Mexia on February 7, 1947, to Claude and Betty French. He grew up in Teague and graduated from Teague High School with the class of 1965. After high school, he worked in Houston briefly before entering into military service with the U. S. Army. Mr. French served in the army for three years during the Vietnam War and spent one year and four months in Vietnam. He received numerous medals and citations for his service including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Sharpshooter, and the Purple Heart. He married Kathy Gordon on July 19, 1969, and shared some forty-nine years and eight months of marriage together. Jackie worked for Nucor Steel in Jewett for twenty-eight years before retiring. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family and with his high school classmates. His greatest accomplishment was being instrumental in the founding of the Veterans Remembrance Park in Teague. He is survived by his wife, Kathy French of Teague; two daughters, Sandy Hennesey of Centerville and Lori Hagaman of Madisonville; three granddaughters, Bailey Hennesey and Maddey Hennesey both of Centerville and Kate Hagaman of Madisonville; one great-granddaughter, Jaxx Layne Zarate of Centerville; his mother, Betty French of Teague; his sister, JeanAnne Plemons of Teague; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Mr. French was preceded in death by his father, Claude French and his brother-in-law, Butch Plemons. The family requests that memorials be made to the Freestone Cancer Support Group, P.O. Box 1522, Fairfield, Texas 75840. Please visit www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.
