Gary Lynn French

Gary Lynn French passed away on February 14, 2023, at the age of 75.  He was born on May 6, 1947, at St. Anthony hospital, and one of his favorite things to tell was how his granddaughter, Elizabeth, was born on his birthday. He met his late wife Vicki in Seminole, Oklahoma. In 1983 they moved to Idabel, Oklahoma where they spent the majority of their adult life running the Idabel Country Club.  During his time at the ICC, he made a vast array of lifelong friends and always treated everyone like royalty.  Through his love of golf, music, food, dancing and just ultimately having a good time, we believe there was no one they'd rather have running the ICC.

Golf was his recreation of choice.  He started playing as a teenager at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City and played on the Putman City High School golf team.  His love of the game continued all through his life, even up to the very end.  He played almost every day and traveled to many high-end locations to play golf with the best of friends that lasted a lifetime.  He passed his love of the game onto his kids and grandkids.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris; father, Leonard; wife, Vicki French; and brother, Larry French.  Gary is survived by his daughter Jennifer Filippone and her husband Brian; son Joseph French and his wife Kristi; his nephews, Jason and Robert French; and Jason's sons Jakob and Max; his stepsons Danny and Jimmy Colbert; his daughter-in -law Reechia Phillips and her husband Danny; his "adopted" daughter Deby Lawson; his grandchildren Sabian Colbert, Elizabeth Bond, Rhythm French, Chord French, Melody French, Austin Filippone and his wife Emily, and Alyssa Smith and her husband Scott; and also his 5 great grandchildren.

I'll end this with a few thoughts of my own, as his son.  I never met a person who had a bad word to say about my father, and I have been a part of the nights where he was celebrated.  The world has lost a legend that was under the radar.  He wasn't a flamboyant man, but truly knew how to live "The sweet life" as he would always say.  There has been an outpouring of affection for this man that only validates what I and all of you know.  He will be sorely missed and there is a hole left where he was present.  Finally in his own words, that he would constantly say to us all, "Who Loves ya baby?… Telly Savalas". Rest in Peace Papa Golf…

There will be a memorial for Gary sometime this spring for family and friends to celebrate his life.  In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to go to the Idabel golf course to help clean up and restore the devastation from a tornado in 2022.  Our whole family learned to play golf on that course so being a part of its restoration would mean a lot to dad.  Checks can be sent to 2301 East Lincoln Road Idabel, OK 74745 or you can donate online at

https://www.gofundme.com/f/idabel-country-club?member=23698811&sharetype=teams .