Frank Osborne

1927 - 2014

Frank Osborne

Frank Osborne, 87, born July 23, 1927, died peacefully August 15, 2014. Frank was a loving and caring family man, teacher, baseball coach, community volunteer and entrepreneur. He was recognized locally and nationally for the profound and positive impact he had on countless lives through his decades of service, and his accomplishments as a coach.

Frank attended school in Kent, WA, and joined the Marines in WWII, serving in China. He returned to complete his college teaching degree at UPS and Central, where he also played baseball and was a pitcher. He began his teaching career at Tahoma and White River, and then spent 27 years teaching and coaching at Enumclaw High School before retiring in 1981.

One of the most successful coaches in the country, Frank's clubs won 11 division championships and 10 league titles, including the 1977 state championship. During that time, the American Baseball Coaches Association awarded Frank the western US coach of the year three times, and he was also a finalist for national coach of the year. The USBCA more recently awarded him the national Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to coaching, and the thousands of hours he spent developing parks and baseball fields for his community, including the Boise Creek sixplex and the high school field Enumclaw later dedicated in his name. Frank was three times Washington State coach of the year, and a charter inductee into the Washington State Hall of Fame. The Washington State Baseball Coaches Association recently honored him with the establishment of the Frank Osborne Lifetime Achievement Award. He was honored as the Mariners fan of the year, and spearheaded a Mariners community participation program that helped keep the Mariners in Seattle. The Washington Recreation and Park Association honored him with the Citation of Merit, the highest recognition the WRPA can bestow on a citizen.

After his retirement, Frank began a new career as an entrepreneur with his business, Osborne Innovative Products. Starting in his garage, Frank invented, built, and marketed baseball products, initially for professional teams and players. His business grew rapidly, and expanded nationally to include colleges, high schools, and players of all ages.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou and his daughter Shawn. Frank is survived and greatly missed by his wife Eileen, his children Gary, Cheri, Jeff, stepchildren Eric and Katia, daughter in law Janet, and grandchildren Katharine, Corin, Jamie, Alex, and Hunter.

Donations can be made to: Osborne Scholarship Fund, EHS, 2929 McDougall, Enumclaw, 98022.

Services will be held at Enumclaw Presbyterian Church on Saturday August 30 at 2:00 p.m. After the service, all are also invited to a celebration at Osborne field, 2929 McDougall Avenue.