Harold Leslie “Pat” Osborn passed away peacefully at his home late on April 5, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Lynn Baron Osborn; four daughters, Amy Patricia Osborn Miklos (Daniel), Leslie Diane Osborn Hallman (Steven), Suzanne Lois Osborn Moore (Christopher) and Mary Elizabeth Osborn; seven grandchildren, Sydney Lynn Moore, Brenley Diane Moore, Elle Emilia Miklos, Leo Baron Miklos, Emma Lois Hallman, William Walter Hallman and Owen Daniel Miklos; brother, Allen Marshal Osborn (Annette), brother-in-law, Robert Oakley Baron (Phylis); sister-in-law, Bonnie Baron Scully (John Robert); and nephews, Jerry Osborn (Belinda) and his namesake, Harold Leslie “Pat” Osborn (Wendy), Robert Oakley Baron Jr. (Amity), John Robert Scully Jr.; and nieces, Elizabeth Morris Baron, and Amanda Scully Pizzo (Vincent). He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Hazen Osborn and Hazel Lois Deam Osborn and nephew, Michael Allen Osborn.
Pat was born into a military family in Tampa, Florida on June 11, 1945, and travelled extensively as a child living in Florida, Guam, Texas, California, Oregon, Florida (again), South Carolina, and Tennessee. He attended Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida and graduated from Frayser High School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1963. He attended Memphis State University, graduating in May of 1968 with a degree in Journalism News and Editorial. While at Memphis State he was active in many phases of campus life. He was a resident manager of the Wesley Foundation and an officer in his fraternity Pi Kappa Phi. He received a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in Management and Supervision.
He received his commission into the Air Force as a second lieutenant on September 15, 1968, and assumed the duties of Information Officer, Headquarters Air Force Eastern Test Range Patrick AFB, Florida. While at Patrick AFB he was actively involved in escorting news and media representatives to cover space flights including Apollo 11. He was up close to many of the historic space flights from Cape Canaveral in the late 60’s
It was at Patrick AFB in the summer of 1969 that he met his future wife, Barbara Baron. They were married in August 1970 at the base chapel and began their nomadic life and extraordinary adventures together. They moved during their first year of marriage to Griffiss AFB, Rome, New York. In 1972 they were transferred to Tokyo, Japan, for a four-year tour living at Fuchu AS and Tachikawa AB. Pat was Director of Community Relations at Headquarters Fifth Air Force and two years later he was the Director of Operations and acting Commander at the Far East Network. Future assignments included Director of Operations USAF Hometown News Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, Director of Public Affairs for the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Director of Public Affairs for the 831st Air Division at George AFB, Victorville, California. In 1985 he moved his family to Izmir Turkey where he was Director of Public Affairs for the 6th Allied Tactical Air Force, NATO. His final tour in the military was in 1987 as Director of Public Affairs at Arnold Engineering and Development Center, Tullahoma, Tennessee where he retired from the military in 1988. The family moved to Huntsville Alabama in 1989 where he was employed at Intergraph as Director of their Users Group, IGUG. His final employment was at Baron Weather where he was on the Board of Directors for over twenty years.
His involvement in community affairs, organizations and awards are too numerous to list. He was always helping and contributing to others wherever he was stationed. He joined the Catholic Church on his wedding day and within the Church he always was an active member. Over the years and at various churches he has been a lector, Eucharistic Minister and choir member. He was head Sacristan at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for many years. He and Barbara were a team couple and Executive Coordinators for WorldWide Marriage Encounter in the 70’s and 80’s. They were privileged to give the first Marriage Encounter Weekend in Seoul, Korea in 1974. Here in Huntsville, they were in charge of the Marriage Preparation Workshop for the North Birmingham Diocese for 17 years. Over the years Pat and Barbara together shared their commitment to marriage to many engaged couples. Pat was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.
His military life was secondary to the forming of his family. He and Barbara adopted four precious daughters. Amy from Korea, 1975, Leslie from Korea, 1977, Suzanne from North Carolina, 1980, and Mary Elizabeth from Turkey, 1986. His “international family” was the joy of his life and all four of his daughters were his tender caretakers in his final days. His life in the past 15 years was blessed richly with the addition of seven grandchildren. He would joke that after four daughters and the first three granddaughters he finally got a boy with Leo!!
Over the years Pat enjoyed many activities including scuba diving, turkey hunting, fishing, boating, barbershop quartet singing, playing bridge with friends, nurturing a saltwater reef aquarium, reading his nook, working crossword puzzles, and driving his truck.
His final years of life have been marked so richly with his wife Barbara at his side. Trips with siblings and friends were a special part of his later years. They enjoyed gatherings with family and friends at their home and lake house which included laughter and hugs for PopPop from his seven grands. He lived a full and honorable life and is at peace with his Lord.
His funeral service will be held on Friday, April 12th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 13550 Chaney Thompson Road, Huntsville, 35803. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 10:45, a family message from 10:45-11;00, funeral Mass at 11:00, with a procession to the adjoining columbarium. There will be an opportunity to share “Pat memories” during a luncheon that follows.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in his name.
