Carl Stanton France

Carl S. France was born in Albany, NY to Maurice and Esther France.  He had no siblings, but had many aunts and uncles and cousins as his mother was the eldest of 13 children.  Carl enjoyed running track and competing in wrestling while a student at Albany High School.   In his teen years, he attended a revival service where he trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.   This decision changed the trajectory of his life.   After his graduation, he worked for the US Postal Service for 2 years and saved money for his college education.  He then attended The King’s College at its former Briarcliff Manor, NY campus, graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education.  Then Carl relocated to Denver, CO where he studied at Denver Seminary, graduating in 1972 with the M.Div. Degree.  Carl taught First Year Greek at Denver Seminary and taught Bible and Theology courses at Rockmont College (now Colorado Christian University) for most of the 1970s and 1980s.  Carl also served as Assistant Pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Denver and then at North Federal Baptist Church when the two churches merged.  He taught their adult Sunday School classes from 1971 to 2009.

Carl had a lifelong interest in professional wrestling and its history.  He enjoyed attending the annual banquet and awards ceremony of the Cauliflower Alley Club for many years.  He got to know many of the wrestlers from the time he first attended wrestling matches with his parents until after his retirement when his declining health prevented him from  attending wrestling events any more.  He also refereed for a local Colorado pro wrestling group for several years.

During retirement, it became apparent that Carl was struggling with symptoms that were eventually diagnosed as dementia-related.   From March 2013 until his passing, he was cared for lovingly by the capable staff at Julia Temple Healthcare Center, Englewood, CO.

Carl is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jeannette, and by their three children:  son, Jeffrey and his wife, Tannia and children Zachary, Kaylee and Samuel:  daughter, Sharon and her husband, MJ and their children, Grace, Claire and Isaac:  daughter, Linda and her husband, Jason and their children, Hailey and Kaitlyn.  He is also survived by his Aunt and Uncle, Ginny and Ray Fernandez, their family, Carl’s cousin, Betty and many other cousins and extended family on Carl’s mother’s side of the family.   He is also survived by Jeannette’s sister, Edith and her son, Len as well as her sister, Deborah and her husband Waldron, and her sister, Christine and her daughter, Shawna and her husband, Joshua and Christine’s son, Lincoln as well as Jeannette’s cousin, Larry and his wife Susan.

Carl died peacefully in his sleep on September 15, 2018.  It is a blessing to know that Carl is at home with the Lord now and is no longer experiencing the effects of his illness.  His family is appreciative of all who have cared for him and who have prayed for him during his years of illness.   Carl’s family is honoring his directive not to have a public funeral or memorial service.   Anyone who wishes to give a gift in Carl’s memory may contribute to one of the following:

The King’s College, 56 Broadway, New York, NY   10004                    www.tkc.edu

Denver Seminary, 6399 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO  80120   www.denverseminary.edu

Colorado Christian University, 8787 W. Alameda Avenue, Lakewood, CO   80226   www.ccu.edu

Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, 455 N. Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO   80203   www.alz.org