James Newton “Jimmy” French

James Newton “Jimmy” French, of Kosse, passed away at Royal Manor in Hewitt on Monday, May 6, 2019, at age 84.

Visitation will be held at Groesbeck Funeral Home on Thursday, May 9, 2019, from 12:00 Noon until the service begins.

Funeral services will then begin at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday in the Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Rita Sims of the First United Methodist Church of Kosse officiating, and Military Honors provided by a U.S. Navy team.  Burial will follow in the Kosse City Cemetery.

Jimmy was born September 15, 1934 in Waco to Ilar James French and Mary Jane Turner French.    He grew up in Waco and graduated from Waco High, and then served in the U. S. Navy.   Jimmy worked in Waco for General Tire, retiring after 29 years.  

Jimmy was united in marriage with Gwendolyn McCarver sixteen years ago and moved to Kosse where he lived until recently.  He enjoyed the rural life, tending to his cows, mending fences, and loved spending time on his tractor.  He and Gwen enjoyed going on cruises.    He loved going to Waco to meet up with his friends for breakfast at What-a-burger, and he made this trip almost every day as long as his health allowed.    He was a good man, who like to help people and was a great Daddy.   

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; all six of his siblings; his first wife, Catherine Baty French; and his second wife, Gwendolyn French in 2019.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Charles York of Waco; son and daughterin-law, Archie and Sharon French of Mobile, AL; son, Gary French of Waco; grandchildren, Valerie Bravo and husband Matthew of Lorena, Charles York, Jr. of Waco, and Jessica French of Mobile, AL; and great grandchildren, Zoey Bravo and Noah Bravo of Lorena.