Ilar W. "Skeet" Osborne, Jr. - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 3/7/2013

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Ilar W. "Skeet" Osborne, Jr. - Madison Parish, Louisiana

From Monroe News-Star February 7, 2013

Ilar W. "Skeet" Osborne, Jr., a lifelong resident of Tallulah, Louisiana, passed away at his beloved home on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at the age of 69. For many years, Skeet was associated with the family-owned Tallulah Motor Company that later was renamed Osborne Ford Lincoln-Mercury. Before retiring and selling the auto dealership, he attained such honors as being named "Dealer of the Year" by the Louisiana Automobile Dealers' Association; the Henry Ford Top Awards for Sales & Service and numerous regional sales competitions. He began his work career at the age of 14 delivering dry cleaning for Osborne's Spotless Cleaners.

First and foremost for Skeet, however, came the love of his family and for the Lord. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Tallulah where he served as a Deacon and a longtime Sunday School Teacher. He also served as a board member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. For many years, he was in charge of "M Night", where all the local Baptist associations came together for a joint service for all their church members. He would personally visit each of the rural churches on Sunday evenings to promote this event annually where people and praise for the Lord united.

Skeet was a graduate of Tallulah High School where he played football and baseball and played trumpet in the band. He then went on to graduate from Mississippi College where he excelled in academics and was a highly-touted member of the award-winning college debate team. He began a Master's Degree program at LSU but returned to Tallulah to become General Manager of the auto dealership. His community service included serving as President of the Madison Parish Jaycees.

In sports, Skeet was known for his natural, gutsy antics on the diving board, trampoline, water skiing on Lake Bruin and snow skiing. He was the winner of several bronze medals at ski resorts for his downhill skiing, even though he would not take a ski trip but once a year.

In his late 30's, he was diagnosed with kidney disease and had to undergo kidney dialysis. He was a home hemodialysis patient until the time of his death. He was renowned for his success at handling this difficult situation. Throughout it all, his faith in God remained steadfast. The manufacturer of his kidney dialysis machine honored him several years ago as their longest surviving patient on dialysis and Skeet was asked to give a motivational speech describing his mental and physical adaptation to this lifestyle and to explain his success. He was truly an inspiration to all in how he never let his health challenges affect his love for life and for his positive outlook for even the smallest things life had to offer. One of his favorite activities was to drive around his beautiful yard in a golf cart to admire the many colorful plants and flowers and this was his favorite time of year.

His love for family extended to his two children, Dr. Lee Evelyn Osborne of Battle Creek, Michigan and her longtime partner, Dr. Farid Zayed; and Lance Ilar Osborne of Baton Rouge, along with his wife, Carole Miranne Osborne. Lance and Carole are the parents of Anna Hilton Osborne and Evelyn Ilar Osborne. Skeet's granddaughters were his pride and joy. Skeet also had the love and support of his brother, Ted Osborne and his wife, Karol; and his sisters, Melonie Osborne Meeks and her husband, Paul; and Ruthie Osborne Gaumnitz and her husband, Freddy, all residing in Tallulah. Skeet is also survived by his lifelong best friend, Bill Pippin of Monroe and many loving nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. Skeet was preceded in death by his parents, Ilar W. Osborne and Claudine Sharpe Osborne, as well as his sister, Sylvia Osborne Gustafson. Skeet's family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all of his dedicated caretakers, especially Nelda Carter and Nellie James.

The funeral service for Skeet Osborne will be held at Tallulah First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2013, with Bro. John Rushing officiating.

There will be a visitation from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Crothers-Glenwood

Tallulah, LA