Horace Wells French, Jr.

Horace Wells “Red” French passed away on November 18, 2024 with loving family by his side. He was born in Ghent, New York to Horace Wells and Anna Angell French.

Red was predeceased by his wife of 34 years, Juanita Drogos French. He is survived by their children, Deborah White (Derick), Daniel French (Jacqueline), Jay Butler (Ruth Lynn), Lori Butler Demarsico, (Joseph), Sean Butler, Peter Butler, Mary Elizabeth Butler Souza and Kathleen Butler Conti.  He leaves several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Red spent his childhood between upstate New York and Rhode Island. He attended Rogers High School in Newport, RI and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania in 1956. He enlisted in US Marine Corps and served as a sea-going Marine onboard the USS Lake Champlain. Upon his return, he worked at French’s Nursing Home in Newport and attended University of Rhode Island for his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education. He worked as a teacher at Middletown High School then moved to the RI Department of Education in 1972 where he remained for the rest of his career.

Retirement brought Red and Juanita to Englewood Florida and eventually to Port Charlotte in 2002. He was very active in St. David’s Episcopal Church and in his local community – including condominium and homeowner’s associations, social and activity groups and charitable endeavors. He especially loved his long-time neighbors and friends in South Gulf Cove. He was active in the USS Lake Champlain Marines group and attended reunions around the country. 

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 27, 2024 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Englewood, FL.  A military ceremony will follow the memorial service at 2:30 p.m. at the Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL. 

Donations can be made in his memory to Continuum/Affinity Care Hospice of Sarasota, 5589 Marquesas Circle #202, Sarasota, FL 34233.