Kennewick kiwanis past club members

In Memory

In Memory of Joe Osborne
May 1, 1922- May 15, 2009

Joe Osborne was a memorable Kennewick Kiwanian. He never was president, yet he could have won that position by a landslide had he wanted too. Yet he was a great Kiwanian, always congenial and ready to help his fellow Kiwanians, or someone in the community with a need. At his funeral service a great number of our Kiwanians paid this Kennewick native tribute.

The following is the family obituary about “our Joe from South Kennewick”.

Joseph Vernon Osborne Jr. was born in a little house near the intersection of 19th and Washington Street, in Kennewick Washington, on May 1, 1922 to Joseph Victor Osborne Sr. and Laura Inez Elliott Osborne. Joe died on May 15, 2009 after waging a valiant effort to recover from serious injuries sustained in a fall on March 4, 2009. Despite the tireless efforts of his doctors, nurses and physical therapists, Joe passed away surrounded by his family, friends and the caring staff at the Hospice at the Chaplaincy in Kennewick, Washington.
Joe learned the rewards of hard work at an early age as he was a child of the depression. Joe's dad farmed for the Federal Land Bank on properties that had been foreclosed. Through the hard work of Joe, his dad, mom and sister Jean, they were never hungry or wanting for a roof over their heads.
Joe began attending the Kennewick First Methodist Church at an early age and was proud of the fact that his father had worked to build that beautiful church and assisted in laying the cornerstone. He attended that church for 60 plus years.
Joe developed a passion for music at an early age. Some of his fondest memories were playing in the Pasco Drum and Bugle Corps with friends such as John Carroll, Gordon Mercer, Harlan Ritter, Duane Taber, Charlie Hodges, Ernie & Fred Huber and Bob Lee. The group won the State Drum and Bugle Championship in 1938. Joe could not wait to graduate from high school but decided to join the Merchant Marine and later obtained his high school diploma while in the service. He was proud to be included in the class of 1941's class picture hanging in Oh Henry's Restaurant in downtown Kennewick. It is unlikely that a single person ever left Oh Henry's when dad was there without being shown his picture.
When America entered World War II, Joe continued in the Maritime Service which became a part of the Coast Guard. Joe was extremely proud of having participated in the Invasion of Sicily in July, 1943, the largest amphibious operation in the war. He later became a proud member of the Merchant Marine Association as well as Navy League, where he served as State President.
In 1945, Joe was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Alameda, California and upon successful completion, was commissioned an Ensign in the Coast Guard and received a Naval Reserve Commission as well. Shortly after being commissioned, Joe married the love of his life, Betty Evelyn Laverne Templeton, whom he had met when her parents ran the coffee shop at the Pasco Hotel on Lewis Street, a place where retired Superior Court Judge Duane Taber served as bell boy. In addition to service in the Mediterranean, Joe circumnavigated the earth, shipping out from San Francisco and landing months later in New York City. In his travels, Joe learned bits of many languages which he remembered all his life.
Upon being released from active duty in 1946, Joe and his new bride returned to Kennewick, where he worked briefly in the U.S. Post Office before going to work at Hanford. After about five years, his friend, Bob Matheson, persuaded him to join him in the real estate and insurance business in what was then Spaulding and Matheson. That began a career that lasted 45 years, 40 of which were with Bob Matheson. When Bob retired, Joe completed his career with Harold Thompson and finally Dave Retter at Windermere, where he found an entirely new second family.
Joe was a wonderful man who intensely believed in giving indefatigable service to his community in many and various ways. At the same time, he always found time to honor, embrace, and love his family. He was truly a caretaker of community and home.
Joe was involved in countless civic organizations including the Kennewick JC's, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge, obtaining the 32nd degree and later, became a Shriner. He absolutely loved to wear his fez and did so proudly whenever he could. He and his lifelong friend, Wes Door, were founding members of the Kennewick Toastmasters Club. Joe donated approximately 64 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. In 1972, he was recognized for his many contributions to the community by being honored as Kennewick Man Of The Year. In the 37 years following his award, Joe continued to serve his community and was especially proud when Billy Jane Lampson asked him to assist in the formation of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. When the first phase of the Center was completed, Joe continued to serve as a member of the Men's Cancer Club. Joe was a Commissioner on the Kennewick Public Housing Authority, serving for over 20 years with his friends the Pepiots, Mitchells, Jelsings, Dennistons, Andersons, Pat Johnstone-Jones, Baumans and the Faurholts. Until shortly before his accident, Joe loved to play golf with his buddies, Les Carpenter, George Morse, George Barr, and Tom Sullivan. He also continued to attend Kiwanis where he proudly introduced himself as Joe Osborne from South Kennewick.
Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty, son Steve (Karen), daughters Kathy Schneider and Leslie Osborne, grandchildren, Kara Osborne-McCord (RB) Lieutenant Commander Drew Osborne, USN, Jay Schneider, Lauren and Lindsay Delashmutt and five great-grandchildren. Joe is also survived by his sister Jean Carpenter (Chuck) and their two sons, Mark and Casey Carpenter.