Laird Leslie French was Born in Rossville on February 15, 1940, to Howard and Berniece French.
Laird lived in Rossville until the age of 6, when the family moved to the farm. Laird attended school in Rossville and graduated from Rossville High School in 1958. He joined the United States Army. His basic training was in Missouri, and then he was stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma. After the service, he farmed with his father. Laird was a farmer for 50 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling with his wife, dancing, family gatherings, going to auctions and telling stories. He was a collector of tractors, both toy and large implements. You could usually find Laird working on a project with a cigar in his mouth. Laird loved his family.
Laird was a member of Hesperian Lodge No.111 until its closing and then became a Silver Lake Masonic Lodge member. He was a 50-year member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Laird was a member of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion in Rossville.
Laird was married to Ruth McGuire, which ended in divorce. In 1970, Laird married Sharon, and she survives at their home. They were married 54 years.
Other survivors include his children, Shawn Howard French and Charlotte Lucille (Kyle) Allen-French; his two brothers, Gary (Kay) French, Topeka, and Doug French, Maple Hill; grandchildren, Emily Ann, Claire Berniece, and Beckham Dean; five nephews, three nieces, four great nephews and six great nieces; a sister-in-law Kathy McCarty, along with family in California, Colorado, and Oregon. The French family would like to thank Phoenix Hospice for their guidance and hard work. Thank you to all the friends who came to visit. He appreciated it.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 12, 2024, at Piper Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Rossville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from Noon until 2:00 P.M. Sunday, February 11, 2024, at the funeral home.
Memorial contribution may be made to Jimmie Lillard Post No.31 of the American Legion and sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
