Larry Dean French of Eureka, a founder and co-owner of Greenwood County Title, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 1, 2025, at his home on the family farm southeast of Eureka, Kansas, at the age of 77.
He was born on May 22, 1948, the son of William Dean and Betty (Burke) French. He was raised on the family farm. Larry started grade school in Climax, Kansas, and graduated from Eureka High School in 1966.
Larry pursued higher education, starting at Emporia State University and completing his accounting degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He established a successful career in accounting, primarily working for Fleming Foods for over 20 years, which took him from Kansas to Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas. In 2005, Larry returned to Greenwood County from San Antonio to care for his aging parents until their passing. He later joined others as a managing partner and proprietor of Greenwood County Title, a position he held at the time of his passing.
In 1980, Larry was united in marriage to Denise Rupp in San Antonio, Texas. They raised two sons together. Though their marriage later came to a close, they maintained a warm and enduring friendship.
Larry loved watching the America’s Cup Sailing races, traveling to California on multiple occasions to see them. He also enjoyed several motorcycle trips with his father-in-law, Don Rupp, including journeys to Big Bend National Park and deep into the mountains of Mexico. In his later years, he was devoted to his family and was excited to have become a grandfather in the last year. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
Larry is survived by his sons: Jay French of Portland, Oregon; and Justin French and his wife, Kristin, of Spring Branch, Texas, and their son, Sloan French, his only grandchild. Also surviving him are his former wife, Denise French, of San Antonio, Texas; and his brother, Dan French, of Eureka. Also close to his heart were his aunts, Lois French of Eureka, and Kay Christensen of Grand Junction, Colorado; Vicki French of Eureka, and her and Dan's children Kimberly, Brian, and Andrea. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Dean and Betty.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Koup Family Funeral Home in Eureka with Dan Buck of the Christian & Congregational Church of Eureka officiating. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Greenwood County Hospital Foundation (for pulmonary rehab). Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at koupfunerals.com.
