SGM Frank Travett French (Ret.), 48, of Woodway, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
Visitation: Sunday, March 19th, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco.
Graveside Service: Monday, March 20th, at 9:00 a.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery 11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, Texas.
Frank was born September 2, 1968 in Flint, Michigan to Thadous French and Deborah Walter. He served his country for 24 years as an NCO in the Army. He was a decorated soldier, receiving an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign medal with three campaign stars and a Bronze Star when serving tours of duty overseas. After retiring from the Army, he continued serving his brothers-in-arms through his work with the American Red Cross. Frank always put others first and was an unbelievably kind man.
He was preceded in death by his father and his sister, Christie French.
Survivors include his wife, Kristie French of Woodway; sons, Nathan Travett French and wife, Briana of Waco and Brandon Perry French and wife, Grace of Waco; grandson, Ethan French of Waco; granddaughter, Fallon Jade French of Waco; and mother, Deb Walter and husband, Larry of Flint, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Heart of Texas Branch of the American Red Cross.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery , 11463 State Highway 195; Killeen, TX 76542-4945
Print Obituary & Condolences
My love, thoughts and prayers for you, Kristie. I pray for peace and comfort for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. He was a great 1SG and all around great guy. He will be missed by so many.
He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
First Seargent you will be missed and I want you to know that your knowledge will live on through those of us who learned a lot from you.
So sorry for your loss. The Tank will never be forgotten.
We were fortunate to have met you and your beautiful family and have you all become our first friends in Germany. May God Bless you Frank and may His Perpetual Light shine on you always.
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
No words can express the sorrow Mark and I feel hearing of the passing of Frank. So many good memories of your family in Germany. Praying for you all as the days go by, to help heal your hearts and souls.
Great NCO, privileged to have worked thru a combat deployment with a great professional!
Battle you were a true leader of soldiers. A man who always placed everybody before himself. Always cared for everybody. You always lead your NCOs on the right direction and always had their best interests. We thank you and our families thank you for all you did for us. RIP Frank the Tank!
You will be missed Frank. Shelia and I will always remember the fun times we had here in Arkansas with you living with us in Marion, Ar. Fun times growing up we will never forget… You as well as your father Thadus could never be replaced or forgotten. We thank God for the limited time God gave you to us. We love you and will missed you….
You will be missed, it was great spending time with you and the family. Praying for the family
See you at the Fiddler’s Green, CSM. Traci, Susan and I have you and the family in our thoughts and prayers.
1SG you will definitely be missed, you taught me a great deal about leadership at the Platoon Sergeant and 1SG levels that absolutely helped to save lives on the deployment where I was one of your Platoon Sergeants and on my next deployment when I was a 1SG. I will never be able to thank you enough, I just want your family to know what an important difference you made for good in this world. Thank you 1SG French.
I am deeply saddened by the news of Frank’s passing. May fond memories of Frank bring you comfort during this difficult time. Look back on all the good memories you were able to have and smile at the fact that you were able to share these before he passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Sorry for your loss.
Kristie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. I love you sweet friend !
CSM French cared deeply for soldiers and their families and was the type of leader whose actions matched his words. I am privileged to have served two deployments with this compassionate human being.The French family is in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry this life was cut so short. Praying for all friends and family.
Sorry for the loss Traci, you and yours will be in my prayers.
Sorry for your loss. My son Sgt Jeremy Barnett served with him in Iraq. You are in my prayers.
David Barnett. Canton Ohio.
Frank, as your first tank commander I knew back then in 1990 that you had a bright future. I’m so proud of all you had accomplish. Rest In peace soldier. My prayers and thoughts for the family.
One of the best NCOs and men I served with in over two decades. Many fond memeiries of our time together in Germany. Truly saddened. My thoughts, prayers and memories always.
RIP cuz. Sending prayers and love to your family during these sad times. ????????????
Kristie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Frank was such a sweet and kind person. Mom and I were blessed to have met him. We love you!
As you know, I didn’t know Frank, but reading through the testaments of those that served our country with him, it is very apparent he was a fine young man. I do know you, Kristie, and my heart aches for your pain. May God bless you with peace at this most difficult time. Love you.
Sorry for your loss . I worked under frank while based in Kabul Afghanistan in 2010 . I only knew him for a short while and we shared some good stories and jokes while filling in lose time chewing the fat . I’m glad he was so much fun since his retirement and Looked really happy in the photo he shared on social media .
My prayers are with his loved ones
Kevin Tester British Army reserve (retired)
May God Bless you, family and friends…Frank is a amazing soldier and friend. Rest In Peace Brother ????????
Kristie and family,
My most sincere prayers that your fondest memories replace the unimaginable sorrow you now have. Frank was a colleague at Red Cross who strove to do his very best for those in our Armed Forces, active duty and veteran alike, and always brought a smile and laughs to any meetings we had. He will be sadly missed by his Red Cross family as well.
Anne Solis
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family – what an honorable lifetime of service and sacrifice. Proud of you Frank!
Kristie and all of Frank’s family please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I had the pleasure to serve with Frank in the American Red Cross. He made a difference in the lives of those he served as Red Crosser.
I was only lucky enough to have Frank as a colleague at Red Cross for almost a year, but he left a lasting impression on me as I am sure he has with with everyone who met him. He was helpful and supportive and his passion for the Service Members, Veterans, and families was obvious. May God bless the entire French family and I pray his memory provides you with peace for the hard days ahead.
I only met Frank about three weeks ago while conducting a review for the Red Cross in Missouri. Frank and I were on a team and we drove through Missouri together interviewing partners and chatting about Red Cross and our shared experiences in the military. I found Frank to be a dedicated, hardworking, and intelligent individual who put serving our military and their families at the highest priority. I’m thankful I was able to meet Frank and I send my love and prayers to his family at this difficult time.
Our Heartfelt Condolences go out to your family in this time of sorrow. I knew Frank as a Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Sergeant Major. Frank was a Soldier’s Soldier–a great NCO and friend. He will be missed by many.