Richard Osgood Jr.

1929 - 2014

Richard Hoe

Osgood Jr.

Moravian Falls - Richard Hoe Osgood Jr., 85, from Moravian Falls, NC, passed into glory on September 4, 2014, after a brief battle with cancer, in the presence of the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Whatley Osgood (Beth), and family and friends. He is survived by Beth; his four children, Rick, (Cathy), Katherine, Julie, (Carl), David, (Susan); and eight grandchildren.

Born in Orange, New Jersey, March 30, 1929, Dick moved to Atlanta, GA in his teens. He graduated high school from Georgia Military Academy, then attended and graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology. After college he served with distinction as an officer in the US Army, during which time he married Beth, and they had their first child, Rick, while posted in Germany. After his military service, Dick had a successful business career selling industrial electrical equipment in Atlanta and Jacksonville, Florida. He was the consummate husband and father during this season, and managed to encourage and cajole all of his children to graduate from college and leave home. He was sought after for his leadership skills and served as President of the Rotary Club in Jacksonville and Senior Warden of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville where he met Jesus personally, and began a lifelong journey serving Him.

At the age of 55, Dick felt God calling him to other adventures; he left the world of commerce, and moved to North Carolina, where he and Beth have lived in the communities of Cashiers, Black Mountain, and Moravian Falls. The next 30 years were filled with building houses (as well as entire communities), planting churches, and many mission trips. Through their service, especially in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, God filled them with a love for the Jewish people, and they worked diligently with several organizations to help many flee persecution and move to their homeland of Israel, a place they visited four times.

Dick never met a stranger, and he wore his faith like a robe. It was impossible to meet him for more than a few minutes and not know that he was a follower of Christ. The joy of the Lord exuded from him constantly. Because of his life-choice to always be a representation of Jesus' Kingdom, multitudes call him friend. His wisdom and sage advice were sought by many, and his leadership positions were too numerous to recount here. His proudest accomplishment was that all of his children and grandchildren have personal relationships with Jesus.

He was a man who loved much and is much loved. His indomitable presence will be sorely missed, but his friends and family are encouraged by the certain knowledge that they will see him again soon. His was truly a life well lived.

A Life Celebration will be held in Christ Community Church in Montreat, NC, on September 13, 2014 at 1:00 PM. Please also join the family for a reception at the church following the Life Celebration. Christ Community Church, 396 Geneva Place, Montreat, NC 28757

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Victory Harvest Church. www.vhcministries.org

510 Meadowmont Village Circle, PMB 369, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Those who would like to leave words of comfort for the family may do so at www.wilsonfamilyfuneralservice.com