Bennet Edward French

Bennet E. French, Major, U.S. Air Force, Ret. age 84, of Ross, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano. A rosary will be recited by Michelle Mebane at 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2019 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Timothy Vaverek as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in West, conducted by Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard. Bennet was born November 28, 1934 in Grafton, North Dakota the 4th of nine children born to Joseph and Alma (Lafreniere) French. He grew up working on the potato farms until he wondered how airplanes knew where to go. This curiosity drove his desire to become a navigator in the United States Air Force where he fulfilled his quest and served for 20 years until retiring in 1974. During his time of service to his country he received many commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, nine Air Medals and an Air Force Commendation Medal. At a Castle Club dance in the summer of 1957, he met a lady he could not live without and a year later, on July 22, 1958, Dorothy Tichavsky and Bennet were married in Abbott. Bennet was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #121 in Elm Mott, Military Officers Association of America, and the McLennan/Hill County Czech Heritage Society. After retiring from the Air Force, the French family built their house and settled in Ross. Bennet was part owner with Ludvik Bajer in several area laundromats and worked for Waco Post Office for over 20 years. Bennet enjoyed bowling, playing softball, making and restoring furniture and antique clocks, and playing cards and dominoes. He loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Bennet is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lowell and Gerald French; a sister, Marie Glennen; and a daughter-in-law, Debbie French. Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Dorothy French of Ross; his children, Calvin French and wife Sharline of Brimfield, MA, Michelle Mebane and husband John of Axtell, Allan French and wife Daphne of West; three brothers, Hector French, Joseph French Jr., and Eugene French and wife Barbara; two sisters, Joan Melchizedek and Adele French; grandchildren, Danielle and husband Jarret, Christina and husband Nick, Mitchell and wife Paige, Amanda and husband Brent, Martin, Aaron and wife Clarisse, Aidan, Jonathan, Juliana, Josef , Matthias, Jerome, Ashley and husband Bobby, Andrew and fiance Amber, Megan and fiance David; three step grandchildren, Tristan, Laurelee, and Aedan; great grandchildren, Morrigan, Torin, Kiera, Theodore, John Tucker, Audrey, Patrick, and Levi; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are his Grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clerical Endowment Fund, Archdiocese For The Military Services USA @ milarch.org or charity of your choice.