Eddie Carroll French, 91, of Boerne, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 27, 2026.

Born on December 18, 1934, in Hollis, Oklahoma, to Walton W. French and Clarice P. French. Eddie grew up as an only child in a close-knit family. The family later moved to Canute, Oklahoma, where he spent his formative years. He graduated from a small high school class of just 13 students and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Abilene Christian University in 1956. He continued his education at Oklahoma State University, where he received a master's degree in Chemistry and met the love of his life, Betty Brightwell, at church. Their courtship was swift and heartfelt—they became engaged within months and married on May 27, 1961, at the OSU Chapel. This month marks their 65th wedding anniversary.

Eddie and Betty built their life together in Stillwater and Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Denton, Texas, with their two children, both boys as Eddie furthered his education earning an additional degree in mathematics from the University of Texas and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from North Texas State University. In 1969, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where they welcomed their daughter and lived there until 2004. They then retired to Boerne, Texas, enjoying 22 years together in a golf resort community.

For 35 years, Eddie worked as a chemist for Petrolite, an oilfield chemicals company in St. Louis. A respected expert in his field, he was a published author, a sought-after consultant who traveled internationally, and the holder of multiple patents focused on reducing pipeline corrosion and developing fire-retardant materials.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Eddie was a devoted athlete and family man. He coached his children's sports teams—football, baseball, softball, and basketball—for over 20 years. He was a nationally ranked badminton player, an avid golfer who played more than 3,000 rounds, and proudly recorded seven holes-in-one. A lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, he was best known for his sharp wit, wonderful storytelling, and his ability to deliver a perfect one-liner that brought laughter to any room.

Above all, Eddie was a devout Christian and a strong, loving father who instilled deep values and resilience in his three children: Steven Carroll, Gregory Dale, and Susan Elizabeth French.

Eddie is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Gay French of Boerne, TX; son Steven Carroll French and wife Elaine Caldwell French of Montgomery, TX; son Gregory Dale French and wife Melanie Friend French of Cedar Park, TX; daughter Susan Elizabeth French of St. Louis, MO; and six grandchildren—Daniel Steven French and wife Larissa, David Gregory French, Ally Yarana French, Kyle Walton French, Ryan Glenn Belz and Danielle Lea Belz Jones and husband Rob and their son Jack, his one great grandson.

A graveside service with visitation will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Klein Funeral Home and Memorial Park - Magnolia-The Woodlands, 14711 FM 1488, Magnolia, Texas 77354. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by the graveside service at 3:00 p.m.

A separate Celebration of Life service for Eddie will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Boerne Church of Christ (1 Upper Balcones Rd., Boerne, TX 78006).
Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the service at 11:30 a.m. Please join us for lunch, provided by the church, immediately following the service. All friends and family are warmly invited to join us as we gather to share stories, laughter, and cherished memories of a life well lived.

We are deeply grateful for the love, prayers, flowers and support during this time. Let us honor Eddie's legacy by remembering the past with gratitude, cherishing the present with joy, and embracing the future with hope—carrying forward the strength, faith, and love he so generously gave us all.