EMPORIA – On Monday, December 20th, 2021, Craig Aaron French, of Emporia, Kansas, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 71. Craig was born in Independence, MO, to Harold and Lois French. The family moved to a farm outside of Ottawa, KS, in 1961. Craig graduated from Ottawa High School in 1968. Following high school, Craig became a University of Kansas Jayhawk in Lawrence.
Craig enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served our nation during the Vietnam War years. He worked in Communication administration in North Carolina, Iceland and in California. Following his time in the military, Craig attended Kansas University in Lawrence, and ESU, Emporia. After college he managed a men’s clothing store, worked in banking and insurance, and to his great enjoyment went into business in computers. He so enjoyed learning how computers work and designing the system for small businesses.
His greatest happiness was his marriage on October 14, 1979, to his beloved wife Joyce Shepherd. That, and the birth of their son Garland. They made Emporia their home where they have become deeply involved in their community, and where they have been enriched by a large circle of family and friends.
Craig’s ongoing passion to learn and his creative spirit have filled their lives with the beauty of art, music, and literature. He was gifted with great intelligence and musical ability, he was a talented photographer, and he was an exceptional writer. His love of travel to explore the new and the old of this world, and to experience the peace and beauty of nature, has further enriched their lives.
Craig was preceded in death by his mother, Lois, his father, Harold, and his brother Martin French. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Garland, his grandson Liam, Emporia, his sister Lisa Cummings and her husband Tom, Shawnee, KS, his sister-in-laws Kathy French, Olathe, KS, and Judy Shepherd Hawkins and her husband David, Wichita, KS, and his brother-in-law Jim Shepherd, Emporia. Along with these are a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins that have made his life rich.
Interment services were held on Monday, December 27th at 2:30 in the afternoon at Reading Cemetery. There will be a memorial service at 10:30 the morning of December 28th at the First United Methodist Church, 823 Merchant St., Emporia, KS.
Gifts in his honor may be made to Hetlinger Planting Hope Initiative (Greenhouse) or Emporia State University Music Department through Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801, which is assisting with arrangements.
