Obituary of Donald Osburn

Shreveport, LA - Donald Jones Osburn, born June 9, 1927 has died at home, ending his struggle with Congestive Heart Failure. Don?s life began in East Texas, where he learned the virtues of hard work, in a truly depressed economy. These early-honed skills kept him close to the land, and in later days of his life, Don was not only a Master Gardener, and Certified Rosarian, but also a consummate keeper of the earth?s resources. D.J., as he sometimes liked to sign his name, was an oil man, working for Magnolia Oil Company, which later became Mobil Oil Company. His career led him to the far corners of the world ? to Norway, Great Britain, the Arab Emirates, the Netherlands. But, his favorite place in the world was his sunny library in the home in which he died. Don has re-joined that vast host of souls who were a part of his life on earth. He leaves us with a legacy of wisdom and humor. These memories are our inheritance as we knew him; a loving man, a kind brother, a dedicated father, a dear husband and a good friend. Don will be terribly missed by his wife, Lou Osburn, his sister Bettye Sue Carr, his son Jason Mark Osburn, Toni Carr Hass and Jim Hass, Preston Greenwalt, Drew, Haydn, and Zane Hass, and his special friends, Don & Sue Crow, Jack Cluck, and many other family members and loving friends. Those of us who knew Don enjoyed his keen sense of humor; as he could capture the essence of a personal story, and make us laugh. Now, he lives in our collective memories. Through Don?s illness, his Physicians, Dr.Stuart Blum and Dr.David Henry as well as the wonderful staff of WK Hospice, supported and cared for his body and soul. An informal service of memories and a dusting of his ashes amongst the roses he loved, will be held at the Gardens of the American Rose Center, on Thursday, June 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM. Anyone is welcome. In lieu of flowers, please send a tribute to the American Rose Society or Holy Angels Residential Facility. Go in Peace, Don.