Carl Michael French

Dr. Carl Michael French, 58, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away Monday, June 14th. He was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana, to the late Carl Arthur and Hazel Ainsworth French. He was preceded in death by sister, Normaj Broussard. He is survived by his wife Dr. Nona Roman French of Conway; daughter, Mary Catherine French and husband Adam Cantrell of New York City, New York; Elizabeth French Cooper and husband Aaron of Norman, Oklahoma; son, Carl Austin French and wife Katherine of Fayetteville, Arkansas; sisters, Mary Jean Knight and husband Jimmy of Lake Providence, Louisiana; Carlene Minsky and husband Reynold of Lake Providence, Louisiana; Evelyn Sibille and husband Curt of Jackson, Mississippi; Kathy Pippin and husband Bill of West Monroe, Louisiana; and Brenda Heflin and husband Bobby of West Monroe, Louisiana. He received a bachelor's degree from Northeast Louisiana University in 1973. In 1975 he completed his master's degree at Oklahoma State University and in 1978 earned his doctorate from Oklahoma State University. After obtaining his doctorate in Agronomy, Dr. French worked in the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service eventually becoming the head of the weed science programs at Georgia. In 1993, he joined the University of Arkansas and served as the Associate Director of Programs for the Cooperative Extension Service and retired in 2010 as the Vice President of Special Programs for the Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas. Throughout his career, Dr. French received numerous honors and awards including in 1988 when he was honored with an Achievement Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. In 2007, Dr. French was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. He enjoyed traveling with his family, gardening, telling a good story, and spending time with his wife and children. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and a loyal friend. He will be greatly missed by all. Burial will take place on Wednesday, June 16th at 10 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery in Calhoun, Louisiana. A memorial service will be held in the Great Hall of the First United Methodist Church in Conway, Arkansas at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 17th with the Reverend Charles Murry officiating, under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Conway. 501-327-7727. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com. The C. Michael French Scholarship has been established at the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Scholarship Fund (2301 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72204) or the Food Pantry at the First United Methodist Church in Conway, Arkansas.