Maynard "Mike" French

Maynard D. “Mike” French of Pensacola, Florida passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2025, at the age of 92. Mike was born to parents Delmar and Peg French on July 27, 1933, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He grew up as the younger of two children and dearly loved his older sister Joanne. He spent his early life in Battle Creek, where he was active in school, sports, and working at the family-owned auto parts store. Mike graduated from Albion college in 1955 and accepted a commission in the US Navy where he was trained as a Patrol Pilot, flying the venerable P-3 Orion aircraft. Mike left the Navy for a short period of time and worked for the phone company in Detroit but missed the active and exciting Navy lifestyle and quickly continued his Navy career. Mike’s Navy career took him around the world, with assignments in Florida, California, Massachusetts, Alabama, and even Japan. Mike and his family thoroughly enjoyed the global travel and excitement of seeing the world with the Navy. While serving as a Navy ROTC instructor, Mike earned his master’s degree in education from Tufts University in 1969. He continued his pursuit of higher education and eventually earned his Doctorate in Education from Auburn University in 1981. Upon retiring from the Navy, Mike became a highly successful realtor, following in the footsteps of his father, Del French, who was a very successful realtor in Zephyrhills, Florida. Mike opened Sunshine Realty and operated his business profitably for almost 40 years, providing valuable real estate service to his clients and building his own collection of rental homes. An avid sports enthusiast, Mike was always active playing tennis, badminton, racquetball, golf, and swimming. He stayed in shape, competed aggressively, and thoroughly enjoyed his sporting pursuits. He passed along his love of sports to his children and grandchildren In the mid-1980s Mike met and fell in love with Jean Jerkins and they were married in 1988 and spent 37 wonderful years traveling, visiting kids and grandkids, and spending time together. Always available and ready to pitch in, Mike made helping family a priority and never missed an opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren – Brittany, Ryan, Lindsey, Rachel, Greg, Matthew, Laurel, Jacob, Noah, Braiden, and Trinity. Mike loved to serve others and spent time volunteering at Olive Road Baptist Church, where he helped as a traffic coordinator and at the Health and Hope Clinic. Mike was also active in the local chapter of the Gideons and was a strong born-again believer who lived his faith daily. Mike is survived by his loving wife Jean and family including his son Mike French (Peggie), his daughter Molly Girouard (Jeff), stepsons Mike Jerkins (Boo), and Jeff Jerkins (April), his grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren – Adalie, Stephen, Hope, Silas, Ezra, Luca, Evan and Annie. He is preceded in death by his parents Del and Peg, and his sister Joanne (French) Adrianson. Funeral services will be held at Mike and Jean’s home church, Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E Olive Rd, Pensacola, on Friday, September 12, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10 am and the service will start at 11 am. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, at 2 pm. Those desiring to participate in the Interment should rendezvous at Olive Baptist Church, Warrington branch, 103 W Winthrop Ave, Pensacola, at 1:30 pm for access to NAS Pensacola. The family is grateful for your condolences and requests donations to The Gideons in lieu of flowers.

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Maynard "Mike" French

July 27, 1933 - September 1, 2025