J.T. Oz Osborn, 70
J.T. “Oz” Osborn, 70, passed away peacefully at his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on June 23, 2011.
Services and a reception will be held June 28, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Becker Auditorium in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Oz was born Jan Thurston Osborn to Caroline L. and Dr. Laurence W. Osborn in January 1941. Oz graduated from Classical High School in Worcester, Mass., in 1960. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard following high school where he earned the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class after five years of active service and one year in the Coast Guard Reserve.
In 1966, Oz attended Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., where he majored in forestry and minored in business administration and liberal arts. He played football his first three years of college and intramural basketball his second, third, and fourth years.
He was a volunteer for the college fire department his third and fourth years as well. Oz was also a member of the Woodsman team all four years of college. He earned his bachelor’s segree in 1970.
Oz made his way west in 1970 where he worked for the Glenwood Ranger Station in Yakima, Wash. In 1972, Oz climbed Mt. Adams during the seventh annual Yakima Chamber of Commerce Mt. Adams Climb.
In 1976, Oz took a position with Kootenai National Forest Ranger District in Troy, Mont. He met and fell in love with Jeanne (Cole) Pennock, and they were married in a candlelight ceremony July 29, 1979.
In 1979, Oz and Jeanne moved to Whitehall, Mont., where Oz took a position with the Deerlodge National Forest Ranger Station. Oz and Jeanne made Whitehall their home for 10 years.
In 1989, Oz and Jeanne moved to Rager Ranger Station in the Ochoco National Forest in Oregon. The ranger station was a nice, small community and Oz and Jeanne made many great friends.
In 1996, Oz retired from the forest service and he and Jeanne moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Retirement didn’t last long as Oz went to work for Leland Erickson of Premier Builders in the same year. In 1997, Oz went to work for LP Lumber Mill, later Riley Creek Lumber Mill, in Moyie Springs, Idaho. He finally retired for good in 2005.
Oz spent much of his time over the years doing various volunteer work. He volunteered for many organizations including AARP, The American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, Community Cancer Services, Friends of the Restorium, Head Start and the United Methodist Church.
In addition to the many organizations Oz was involved with, he also helped many members of the community, family, and friends anytime assistance was needed.
Oz was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed all sports, but he especially liked football and hockey. Oz was also a woodworking enthusiast and shared his delight of beautiful cuts of wood and great projects with all he could. One of his greatest joys was making toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Oz was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline and Laurence Osborn, his brother Thom Osborn, and his grandson, Duane Pennock.
Oz is survived by his wife Jeanne; a sister Penny Rawson and her husband Chuck; two brothers, Paul Osborn and his wife Denise, Fred Osborn and his wife Sue.
Also surviving is his stepson Randy Pennock, his wife Sherry, stepdaughter Patty Drane, her husband Rick, stepson Larry Pennock, his wife Toni, stepson Donnie Pennock, and his wife Karol.
He is survived by 10 grandchildren and their spouses, seven great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great- nephews, and cousins.
Oz was cherished by all who knew him and will be missed by the many family and friends whose lives he touched.