Leon Osborn

Funeral services for Lester Leon Osborn, 80, of Tuttle, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2019, at the Tuttle church of Christ.  Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home, Tuttle, OK.

Leon was born October 20, 1939, in Tuttle, Oklahoma, to Roy and Ida (Kuhlman) Osborn. He passed away Monday, December 16, 2019, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Leon graduated from Tuttle High School in 1957. From there he attended Oklahoma State University earning two agricultural degrees upon his graduation in 1961.

Leon married the love of his life, Rosemary McGee, on August 26, 1960, at the Tuttle church of Christ. They enjoyed 59 years of a faithful, Christian marriage. It will be difficult to see Rosemary without Leon by her side. Their marriage was a true testament of their faith, love for God and genuine love for one another.

Although Leon worked at John Deere in Minco for one summer following college, he was a farmer at heart. He worked tirelessly and diligently for 20 years as a dairy farmer, a role in which he took great pride. Leon went on to farm wheat, cotton and alfalfa and raise cattle in Grady County throughout the rest of his life. Although he enjoyed every aspect of farming, perhaps his most enjoyable moments were driving a swather and working alongside his son and grandsons.

Leon had a servant heart holding positions on multiple boards, allowing him to give back to significant aspects of his life. Among those were the ASCS Board, the Tuttle School Board, Grady County Excise Board and Production Credit Association Board. Leon also spent over 15 years volunteering his time as Swine Superintendent of the Grady County Livestock Show. He was a stern and steady voice of reason, someone others looked to for advice and direction when questions or complications arose.

Perhaps his greatest service, though, was as an elder of the Tuttle church of Christ. Leon was a strong Christian man, a spiritual leader for his household, never wavering in his faith and providing guidance for his children, grandchildren and countless others. He was truly a man of great wisdom and integrity.

Leon had a deep passion and love for animals. He and Rosemary supported their children as they raised Hampshire pigs during their 4-H and FFA years, and he gave each of his five grandkids a cow to start their own herds. He had such a tender heart when it came to his dogs…Spot, Bear, Geister, Tippy and Sadie. You could often find him buying an extra burger or ice cream anytime he stopped for a meal…just for his special friend!

Almost as deep as his love for animals was his love for sweets! Although he was diabetic, you could often find him perusing the dessert table at family gatherings or sneaking M&Ms out of the pantry without Rosemary knowing! Lots of quality time was spent with grandchildren at some of his favorite places…Sids, J&W Grille and Waffle House.

As scripture tells us to do, Leon was a good steward of his money and the many blessings God gave him. He and his father built the house he and Rosemary live in to this day. He bartered for services such as electrical work for which he traded Holstein baby calves. He lived out the very lesson many of us would benefit from learning, "Don't buy something until you can pay for it." Leon was a very blessed man; however, he used those blessings to benefit others. He gave, not with intentions of ever being recognized or repaid. He gave without anyone knowing and with the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing. He gave from his heart with compassion and love for others.

He had no hobbies – church, family and work were his priorities. Grandchildren were the highlight of his and Rosemary's lives as they never missed an opportunity to attend ballgames, stock shows, contests or any other events taking place.

Leon was larger than life to each of his children and grandchildren. Attempting to encapsulate on paper a life this well lived, a man of such character, a husband, father, grandfather so loved and cherished, proved to be quite the monumental task.

Leon was preceded in death by: His parents, Roy and Ida Osborn.

He is survived by: His loving wife, Rosemary, of the home in Tuttle; Daughter, Cheri Rodenberger and husband Bob, of Oklahoma City; Son, Tim Osborn and wife Tina, of Tuttle; Grandson, Tyler Norvell and wife Beth, and their children, Madilyn and Saylor, of Tuttle; Granddaughter, Julie Henderson and husband Nathan, and their children, Coen and Scout, of Tuttle; Grandson, Will Osborn and wife Sarah, and their children, Lily and Luke, of Tuttle; Grandson, Kyle Norvell and wife Tamara, and their daughters Cheri and Abigail (due in January), of Granite; Granddaughter, Katie Osborn of Mustang; Maverick McMurtry of Tuttle; Makenzie McMurtry of Tuttle; Cody Rodenberger of Hugo; Rikki VanOrsdol of Bristow; and Jarrett Rodenberger of Bristow; Brother, James Osborn and wife Mary Ann, of Tuttle; Sister, Janice Kennedy and husband Carl, of South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following:

Tuttle Church of Christ

Mission India

P.O. Box 426

Tuttle, OK 73089

Integris Hospice House

5710 NW 130 ^th Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73142

(identify on payment as Integris Hospice OKC gift)