Ray Claiborne Osborne

Ray Claiborne Osborne entered eternity on March 3, 2011, at peace in his home in Boca Raton concluding a blessed life surrounded by those he most cherished, his wife of forty-nine years, Mary Thom Osborne, his daughter, Molly Payne Osborne, and his grandson, Nicholas Payne. A key figure in the foundation of Florida's modern political structure, R.C. was born on
September 7, 1933 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Maggie Osborne and Rufus Charles Osborne. Both parents worked for Chatham Manufacturing Company, which relocated its plant to Elkin, North Carolina, in 1939 causing the family to move to Elkin the same year. At a very early age, R.C. displayed the qualities that would be the hallmark of his life, vision, leadership, and service. In high school he served as both the President of the Senior Class and President of the Student Council. An outstanding athlete, R.C. played on the football, basketball, and baseball teams in high school, captaining the football team his
senior year. The selection of captain of the basketball team was lost by one vote because he did not feel it appropriate to vote for himself - a hard-learned early political lesson he never forgot. Chatham Manufacturing Company, the dominant force in the area's economy, annually presented a full scholarship to the outstanding member of the Elkin Senior Class. As the recipient of this prestigious award, R.C. was able to attend North Carolina State University, majoring in Textile Management. During his undergraduate days, he was an active member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serving as its President, a member of the Interfraternity Council, a member of Phi Psi Textile Fraternity, and was inducted into the Blue Key Men's Leadership Fraternity. Following graduation in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having been Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army through the R.O.T.C. Program, R.C. served on active duty from 1955 to 1957 with a tour of duty in Germany. Discharged from active duty as a First Lieutenant in 1957, one year was spent working with his older brother Brady in retail sales. During his time he committed himself to becoming a professional. After much thought and careful consideration, it was determined that the legal profession offered the greatest opportunity to utilize his talents and to be of service to others. An important factor for any young man paying for his own education was that Law School was one year shorter than Medical School, the other alternative. With the determination and focus that was always displayed, R.C. entered Law School at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1958. In the second year, he was selected as the Class President. On January 7, 1969, at the age of thirty-five, R.C. became the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida in the 20th Century. He was a key figure in the very delicate negotiation
necessary to cause the much needed ""Legislative Pay Raise"" to be passed after an initial veto by the Governor. Although a period of great social upheaval, the Kirk Osborne administration caused the State of Florida to advance far beyond the choked political
system that Florida previously suffered under while controlled by the ""Pork Chop Gang"", made up of a few rural North Florida legislators who controlled all aspects of State government. First and foremost, Florida became a true functioning two party state. As
a result, many contracts and opportunities to do business with and for the State of Florida were opened to all Floridians. A lasting hallmark of the administration was the establishment of the first meaningful environmental regulations and the structure to
enforce them. The Florida Clean Air Act and the Florida Clean Water Act that were passed at that time remain largely unchanged today and have served as models for similar legislation in many other jurisdictions. In 1970, R.C. sought the GOP nomination to the U.S. Senate seat which had been held by the retiring Spessard Holland since 1948. Reflecting his cooperative spirit, at the request of the Republican Party, he abandoned these efforts to run on the Republican ticket as Lieutenant Governor. Losing a bid for a second term to two seasoned Democratic politicians, in what was still largely a Democratic state, Ruben O'D'Askew and Tom Adams, R.C. again followed his vision. Eschewing offers from many large law firms in major metropolitan areas of the state, overtures from the Nixon administration for a federal position, and lobbying opportunities in Tallahassee, he agreed to come to Boca Raton, then a very small community comprised primarily of seasonal residents and a small number of local citizens, to represent the Boca Raton National Bank and serve on its Board of Directors. In response to the constant barrage of inquiries relative to his next foray into elective office, R.C.'s constant response was ""I will no longer be a candidate for public office, all my efforts will be devoted to my family, my firm, my clients, and my community."" For the remainder of his life, never once did R.C.
ever succumb to the powerful pull of the exciting challenge of public office. In keeping with this commitment, he served on the Board of Directors of the Boca Raton National Bank, Citizens National Bank, Fidelity National Bank, and following the acquisition
of Boca Raton National Bank, on the Board of First Union National Bank of Florida. In a life marked by service, he served on, inter alia, the Board of Trustees/Directors of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association, St. Andrews School, Lynn University, the Boca Raton Community Hospital, as Commodore of the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, and as Treasurer and Vestry member of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church. An accomplished and knowledgeable golfer, R.C. was Club Champion of the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club and a Founding Member of the Adios Golf Club. The game of many fellow golfers was greatly improved by the insights and techniques R.C. so willingly shared with them. His strong management, organizational skills, and concentration permitted his law firm to at one point become the largest in the south Palm Beach County area. R.C joined with Bill Shubin in the 1980's in the development of Via Mizner Financial Plaza, one of the first projects initiated in the downtown area following the formation of the CRA. With the extensive demands placed upon him and his commitment to responsibilities, the limited time he was able to spend with his wife, daughter, and later, his grandson, along with close friends, were his greatest pleasure. Along with a commanding presence and a seriousness of purpose, he possessed a keen wit that was enjoyed by those who shared time with R.C. Above all, he would want to be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and a reliable friend. He leaves an enduring legacy of visionary leadership and commitment to service that will continue to benefit the community well into the future. He is survived by his wife, Mary Thom Osborne, their daughter, Molly Payne Osborne, their grandson, Nicholas Payne, and his brother, R. Brady Osborne, along with many loving nieces and nephews. His brothers Brandon, and Reece, and sisters Gladys, Grace, and Gerty Mae, and his parents preceded him in death. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church in Boca Raton, Florida, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 7, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his memory to the Osborne White Foundation, P.O. Drawer 40, Boca Raton, Florida 33429, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, c/o Dr. Sagar Lonial, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Suite 4004, 1365 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30322, or Hospice by the Sea of Boca Raton.