B. Sam Osborne

B. Sam Osborne, 88, of Christiansburg, died December 1, 2008. He was born in Independence, Va. on April 15, 1920. He loved the outdoors, farming, building, cooking, and dancing. Friends and family have fond memories of meals he prepared for large groups, rides in his ATV, or his fancy footsteps on the dance floor. He always made others feel special and welcomed as he would greet them with a strong bear hug. Through the years Sam organized several family reunions. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and stated that the most interesting place he traveled during the war was to Tasmania. He majored in Chemistry attending Emory and Henry College and VPI. At Emory he was known as one of their outstanding quarterbacks. The most daring job he had to earn extra money was riding his motorcycle in the Wheel of Death at a county fair. Sam loved riding horses, particularly Tennessee Walking horses. For many years he showed them across several states and later became a show judge. He was a self-made builder, developing the property called Hidden Hills while working as a supervisor at Hercules Ammunition Plant. He became an auctioneer in his spare time and owner of Radford Auction Company. In retirement he opened a weekend country western dance club in Christiansburg where he enjoyed the music, dancing, and cooking for the singles club. Throughout his life he provided shelter for several homeless people. He was preceded in death by a sister, Vera Mable, of Independence, Va.; brothers, Dan, Gentry, and Hoyt, of Independence, Va.; parents, Ina and Oscar Osborne, Independence, Va. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Rick LaPlante ,of Flowery Branch, Ga.; his significant other, Elsie Arthur; his sister, Ruth White, of Richmond, Va.; eight nieces and their families, Ann Vincil, of Richmond, Va., Sallie Swearingen, of Grapevine, Texas, Vera Tittle, of Lubbock, Texas, Dana White, of Hillsville, Va., Susan Delp, Glenda Crane, and Donna Pickett, of Independence, Va., and Kathy Evans, Sparta, N.C.; two nephews and their families, John Osborne, of Prince George, Va. and Danny Osborne, of Independence, Va. A service was held on December 4, 2008 at Central United Methodist Church in Radford with Pastor Wright officiating. Interment followed, after a military service, in Independence, Va. at the Bridal Creek Cemetery, with Pastor Darnell officiating. Arrangements were handled by DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. Donations in his name are welcomed at Habitat for Humanity or the American Heart Association.