John Wesley Osborne, 79, of Morehead, KY (formerly of Russell County) passed away Friday, January 22, 2021 at Baptist Health in Lexington, KY. Born February 11, 1941 in Barbourville, KY, he was the son of John Samuel and Othella Bolton Osborne.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Harold Osborne, who died in a military plane crash in 1954 while serving in the U.S. Air Force.
John began working with his father and later founded Osborne Tax Services in 1974. He and his wife Peggy operated the business in Morehead, Russell Springs & Jamestown, KY until their retirement in 2013. John enjoyed a successful extended career in income tax preparation and consulting.
In addition to the income tax service, John was Associate Professor of Accounting at Morehead State University until he retired in 1998. John started the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at MSU and was advisor to Phi Kappa Alpha.
John served as Captain and was very proud of his service in the U.S. Army where he received the Bronze Star. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for meritorious service in a combat zone.
After returning from Vietnam, John continued his service in the National Guard for several years.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Morehead, KY. In the community and among his friends, John was best known for his insatiable love of outdoor sports. He spent many hours with family and friends both locally and across the country fishing, hunting, and playing golf. John also loved the time he shared with his special friends “Thursday night” poker crew. He had a quick wit and was at ease talking with anyone in ear shot. He loved to tell stories (big and small, real and fiction). He spent countless evenings telling bedtime stories to grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and pa.
SURVIVORS:
Wife of 47 years: Mary Peggy Malone Osborne of Morehead, KY
2 sons: John A. Osborne of Jamestown, KY and James W. Osborne (Shannon) of Russell Springs, KY
4 grandchildren: Jessica Peroff (Jamison) of Van Nuys, CA, James A. Osborne (Kori) of Great Lakes, IL, Haley Blevins (Thomas) of Russell Springs, KY, Brandon Withers (Alisha) of Russell Springs, KY
6 great-grandchildren: Makenzie, Quinton, Corbin, Megan, Dylan, and Abby
1 sister: Geraldine Osborne Marcum (Bill) of Paducah, KY
Several nieces, nephews, and extended family
Celebration of Life: Monday, January 25, 2021 at 10:00amET at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel in Morehead, KY with the Rev. Aaron Mansfield and the Rev. Matthew Kimmons officiating. The service will be livestreamed on Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Facebook page beginning at 10:00amET.
Visitation: Sunday, January 24, 2021 from 5:00pm-8:00pmET at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals.
John’s “Thursday night” poker crew will serve as honorary pallbearers.
A Military Graveside Service will be held 11:00amCT on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Bethel Cemetery in Jamestown, KY with Bro. Wendell Roberts officiating.
Local Visitation: Monday, January 25, 2021 from 5:00pm-8:00pmCT at H. E. Pruitt Memory Chapel in Jamestown, KY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to MSU Foundation, John and Peggy Osborne Scholarship, 150 University Blvd., P O Box 1887, Morehead, KY 40351 or Alumni.moreheadstate.edu/Osborne
COVID-19 mandates will be observed including masks and social distancing.
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