French, successful Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse owner, dies at 86

L.R. “Bob” French Jr., a successful owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, died August 2 at the age of 86.

A native of Brownwood, Texas, French was president of French Tool and Supply and was an independent oilman. He resided in Midland and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as Palm Springs, Calif.

In the Thoroughbred world, French is best known as the owner or co-owner of champions Capote and Landaluce, as well as Grade 2 winner and prominent sire Mt. Livermore and Terlingua, dam of the prolific sire Storm Cat. He often owned horses in partnership with Barry Beale and trainer D. Wayne Lukas, among others. French began working with Hall of Fame member Lukas beginning in the 1970s when Lukas was training Quarter Horses.

As an owner and breeder of Quarter Horses, French’s greatest success was homebred Little Blue Sheep, a two-time champion and winner of 14 stakes races. The mare was by stakes winner St Bar, also bred by French.

French was an avid pilot, joining the Air Force in 1945, and flying his own planes by the early 1950s. He earned his jet pilot license in the early 1970s.

French is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Marcia Fuller French, as well as children Drue, Robin, Fuller, Bo, and Powhatan, along with 12 grandchildren, half-brother Kirk French and half-sister Julee French.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Central On Monday, Aug. 5 in the sanctuary of Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W. Broadway Ave. in Fort Worth. A reception will follow at River Crest Country Club. French will be laid to rest privately in Greenwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Community Hospice of Texas, 6011 Western Place, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, or a charity of choice, in French’s memory, is suggested.