GEORGE LANKFORD OSBORN

1919 - 2010

George Lankford Osborn, 91, of Anacortes, Washington died Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Mount Vernon, Washington.

He was born on January 30, 1919 in Chester, Montana, the son of C. Laurence Osborn and Dora (Osborn) Moore. George, with his mother and sister, moved to Anacortes in 1925, where he attended grade school and later graduated from Anacortes High School. He married his wife, Helen Fountain, also of Anacortes, in 1941.

George was employed at the Morrison Mill as a mill worker from 1937 1944. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in October 1944 and trained as a submariner. Helen and their daughter, Linda, were able to visit several times while he was training in Connecticut and San Francisco, California. He was honorably discharged in March 1946 and returned to his family in Anacortes. They soon had a son, Norman.

George worked as a building contractor for many years in Anacortes and the surrounding area, and was very proud of all the homes, remodels, churches and concrete work he and his crew accomplished. Later, George went to work for the Port of Anacortes and handled the carpentry maintenance.

During his working years, George raised horses and loved to ride. His favorite times were riding horses with his friends in the Cascade mountains, deer hunting, and participating in the Skagit County Sheriff Posse activities.

During his retirement years, George and Helen, enjoyed their motor home and toured the country and Mexico. They also wintered several seasons in Indio, California. Back in Anacortes George loved his volunteer job with Meals on Wheels. It gave him a chance to give a little back, visit with those who couldn't get out, and he had an eager audience for the stories he liked to tell.

He also loved playing solitaire, going to the Senior Center for pinochle on Fridays and his quilting. He was a tireless, prolific quilter and was a member of the Anacortes Quilt Guild. Over the years he received numerous awards and recognition, including one year being voted by the viewing public as "Best of Show" in the Large Quilt Division.

George loved his Church, and was a lifetime member of the Anacortes Christian Church. He served as an Elder and Bible Study teacher for almost 30 years. He loved to sing while on the job or in church and regularly sang solos, with the church choir, and with his mother-in-law, Marion Fountain. George and Helen loved the home they built in Anacortes and lived there for over 50 years until just before his death.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Vera Strong; his half-sister, Florence Paul and his son-in-law, Randolph Ouye in 2002. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen; daughter, Linda Ouye of Anacortes; son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Sue Osborn of Sonora, CA; grandchildren and spouses, Bryce and Amy Osborn of Newport Beach, CA, 1st Lt. Evan Osborn with the U.S. Marines; Brooke and Jason Guthrie of Olympia, Sean and Tiffany McKenzie of Honolulu, HI; great-grandchildren, Noah McKenzie, Kaia McKenzie, Liel Guthrie; and half sisters, Shirley Bruns and Ruth Heishman, both of Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Anacortes Christian Church, with Pastor John Douglas officiating. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, in care of the Anacortes Senior Center, 1701 22nd Street, Anacortes, WA, 98221.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.

To share memories of George, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.