Raymond Lewis French, 94, of Rock Creek Lake, Kellogg, died on Thursday April 22, 2021 at the Veterans Medical Center in Des Moines. A Funeral Service has been scheduled for 10:30 am, Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Rev. John Epperson officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service. Burial with military honors will take place at Hazelwood Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at Westside Family Diner following interment at Hazelwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be designated to the family of Raymond French to benefit local organizations of the family's choice and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family online at www.smithfh.com. Ray was born July 4, 1926 in Aurora, Indiana, the son of, Leo and Beulah Mae Wood French. He later moved to Grinnell with his family and received his education in the Grinnell School District. Ray enlisted in the United States Army, where he honorably served his country with Company H of the 118th Infantry in the European Theater during WWII. Following his discharge from the Army, Ray worked as a carpenter by trade with the Des Moines Carpenters Local Union 106. He worked on many construction sites throughout Des Moines, most notably the Principal Building in downtown Des Moines. Ray loved his family. Never having any children of his own, he thought of his niece and nephews as his own children. He provided for them and followed them in all their activities. As an avid sports fan he cherished watching his nephew, Kirby Criswell play football for the University of Kansas and never missed a home game. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling. He once bowled a 299 two nights in a row and subsequently quit the game of bowling after his frustration. Ray was a lifetime member of the Grinnell Elks Lodge and Grinnell American Legion and a member of the Disabled Veterans. Ray is survived by his niece, Karla (Criswell) Sandell of Rock Creek Lake; one nephew, Kirby Criswell of Jasper County; three great-nephews, Kevin Criswell Long, James Nicholas Long, and Skyler Justice Criswell; and two great-nieces, Ruth Ann Marie Morton and Robin Kaye VanZant. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Geraldine and Rex Criswell, and one nephew Kevin Lance Criswell. Family and friends please join the celebration of Rays Life.