Jan T. 'Oz' Osborn
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| January, 1941 ~ June
23, 2011 |
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June 26, 2011 |
 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 heldat 1
p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Becker’s Auditorium at
Bonners Ferry High School.
Oz was born Jan Thurston Osborn to Caroline L.
and Dr. Laurence W. Osborn in January of 1941.
Oz graduated from Classical High School in
Worcester, Massachusetts, 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,
Massachusetts, 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 Degree in 1970.
Oz made his way west in 1970, where he worked
for the Glenwood Ranger Station in Yakima,
Washington. In 1972, Oz climbed Mt. Adams during
the 7th annual Yakima Chamber of Commerce Mt.
Adams Climb.
In 1976, Oz took a position with Kootenai
National Forest Ranger District in Troy,
Montana. He met and fell in love with Jeanne
(Cole) Pennock, and they were married in a
candlelight ceremony July 29th, 1979.
In 1979, Oz and Jeanne moved to Whitehall,
Montana, where Oz took a position with the
Deerlodge National Forest Ranger Station. Oz and
Jeanne made Whitehall their home for ten years.
In 1989, Oz and Jeanne moved to Rager Ranger
Station in the Ochoco National Forest in Oregon.
The Rager 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. 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.
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, sister Penny
Rawson, her husband Chuck, two brothers, Paul
Osborn, his wife Denise, and 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 ten
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. |
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