USAF Major Frank Gerard Osborne Jr.

Frank Gerard Osborne Jr, USAF Major Retired, 99, of Little Rock, formerly of Jacksonville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 12, 2025 at his home. Frank was born November 25, 1925 in Verden, Oklahoma to the late Frank G. Osborne Sr. and Mary E. (Davis) Osborne. Mr. Osborne was a twenty-two-year veteran of the United States Air Force having served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During his military career, Major Osborne flew many different kinds of aircraft including B-17's, B-52's, C-124's, B-29's, and B-47's as a Flight Engineer/Bombardier. He had a lifelong love of aviation, winning his first award for building and flying model airplanes at age twelve and logging over 10,000 hours of flying time throughout his career. He spent many years as a flight instructor, furthering his dedication to anything aeronautical. After his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Osborne continued to serve his country dedicating another twenty-two years of service to the Veterans Administration Regional Office. Mr. Osborne was also of Native American Heritage, a direct descendant of Black Beaver, and was the oldest living member of the Delaware Nation at the time of his passing. He was an early founding Charter member of the Mid-Ark Radio Control Airplane Club and a member of First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville. Mr. Osborne also enjoyed fishing and playing golf, but was always happiest spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving and devoted first wife of 59 years, Imogene (Powell) Osborne in 2004; son, David Osborne; sister, Lyle Ramsey; and his four-legged son, Harley.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of fourteen years, Susanne (Evans Hoeltzel) Osborne; daughter, Darlene Grace of Texas; grandchildren, John Grace Jr., Marie Elmore, Drew Osborne and Lindsey Shurley. Other survivors include six great grandchildren; Kenzie, Jacob, Dexter, Gwen, Sadie and Florence, along with many extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials in Major Osborne's memory may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at 2361 Hyland Blvd., Staten Island, New York 10306.