HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — George Robert French,
81, of Hot Springs Village, passed away on November 28, 2023.
Born on March 8, 1942, in Hickoria, Ark., George moved around quite a bit, but eventually moved to Kennett, Mo., where he would meet lifelong friends. George was quite the athlete: running track, playing football, and starring in basketball at Kennett High School. He attended college at Arkansas State, where he was member of the track team. While in college, he met his loving wife, Jeannie, to whom he was married for 60 years. Although the 60 years were wonderful, there would have never been enough time for the two of them to spend together. Those 60 years were filled with friends and family, travel, and an abundance of sporting events.
George loved sports and would become a coach, teacher, and school administrator. He coached in Truman, Osceola, and Monticello. In 1976, his Osceola Seminole team won the AA State Championship and would finish Runner-Up in the Overall State Championship. George would also coach the East Squad in the 1976 All-Star Game. Next, George coached basketball in Monticello and later started the high school baseball program.
Upon retiring from education, George was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, serving 3 terms. After his time in the House of Representatives, George was a liaison between then Governor Mike Huckabee and the legislature. He took pride in serving the people of Arkansas in a bi-partisan manner. He was a true Statesman. Next, he would find a way to continue serving in the field of education as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. After his second retirement, George moved to Hot Springs Village where he played golf, enjoyed wood crafting, cooking, and working in his yard where he created a beautiful landscape.
He was a devoted member of the Village Church of Christ, where he started Helping Hand’s Ministry to serve those in need. George showed his love and Christ’s love to others through acts of service by helping others with yard work, bringing truckloads of Esau corn to his neighbors, and delivering his homemade pretzels and peanut brittle to people all over the state. George was a man of outstanding character. He was a devoted leader of his family, a loyal friend to many, an advocate for the underdog, and never met a stranger. He had a witty sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. We will miss his infectious laugh so much.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Flora French, his brothers, Bill, Gordon, and Zack French, and sister, Floella Boone.
He leaves behind his wife Jeannie, daughter Jamie of Hot Springs, son Jason of Bentonville, granddaughters, Jordan (CJ) Uzick of Little Rock, Taylor Preston of Hot Springs, and a great-grandson, Benjamin Robert. We will miss him immeasurably and will be eternally grateful for his love.
A celebration of George’s life will be held at the Village Church of Christ on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the French Family Endowment at Harding University or SOZO Recovery Center, Inc. For the SOZO Recovery Center Inc., please make checks payable to the Village Church of Christ in memory of George French. Online condolences at www.caruthhale.com.