Born March 22, 1952 in Pineville, Louisiana, died August 10, 2017 in Port Townsend, Washington.
Charles R. Osborn passed away after a brief, intense battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was told officially about his disease June 30 and he passed away August 10, in his home with his wife of 47 years, Janice, and oldest daughter ,Teresa, by his side. Charles said he wanted to “die with dignity” so he enrolled in the Jefferson County Hospice and stayed in his home with his wife.
Charles was raised in northeast Texas and met his future wife, Janice, while attending first grade. They got married 2 weeks after high school graduation and began their lives together in Texas, where they raised their two children, Teresa Marie Parks and Oriana Zenda Osborn.
Charles had a long career with Southwestern Bell Telephone, where he eventually used their tuition program and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Amber University in Garland Texas, and later got hired by US West in Seattle, where they relocated in July 1995. He worked mainly in the Central Offices as a Switching Technician, and later at Qwest, before he retired June 29, 2006. Charles always said he hoped to be retired as long as he had worked.
Charles liked to read Scottish Time Travel romance novels, as well as, home repair and maintenance guides. He overhauled a car transmission on his bed once and built his own computer. It seemed like he could repair or make just about anything he wanted to. A romantic at heart, he loved watching movies. Classics, romances, and sci-fi and loved taking long walks with his brown standard poodle, Amber. His last project, before he got sick was to build and orchard with a fence and gate and plant fruit trees and rose bushes and azaleas for his wife. It’s a beautiful orchard.
Charles was an exceptional man, kind and loving and supportive towards his wife and children. He spent the last 40 days of his life fighting to stay on his feet and helping them prepare for life without him, until he was too weak to get out of bed.
Charles is survived by his wife Janice Marie Osborn, daughters Teresa Marie Parks of Houston and Oriana Zenda Osborn of Snohomish, two grand children, Shane Leslie Parks of Houston Texas and Artemis Zenda Van Slooten of Snohomish, Washington. Also, two brothers Mike Osborn of Arlington, Texas and Bob Osborn of Ben Wheeler, Texas. Two sisters, Betty Sue Stecker of Port Orange, Florida and Mary Ann Strain of Edgewood, Texas, and various nieces and nephews.
Charles has been cremated and ashes will be spread at a later date as per wishes.
