Donald "Don" Lee Osborne

Donald Lee Osborne, 91, of 207 Hedrick Dr./ Piedmont Crossing in Thomasville, N.C., died October 16, 2024. Don was born Sept. 5, 1933, in York County, S.C., to the late John Robert Osborne and Myrtle Lee Osborne. On Nov. 30, 1957, he married Jane Olivia Gaston Osborne of Camden, S.C., and they moved to Thomasville, N.C. In addition to Jane, survivors include their daughters, Cynthia “Cindi” Osborne McCorquodale of Thomasville and Jennifer Osborne Colgan of Berlin, MD. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Angus McCorquodale and Benjamin McCorquodale, both of Thomasville; Sean Colgan of Berlin, MD, and Kaitlyn Colgan and her children Oliver and Andie of Falkville, AL; and his best friend, David Millikan. Preceding him in death were his sisters Alice Walters of Charlotte, N.C., Iris Poore of Chickamauga, GA; and son-in-law Kevin Colgan of Berlin, MD. He graduated from Fort Mill High School, where he played football and received Honorable Mention All-State his senior year. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force where he served four years active duty with the rank of Staff Sergeant; he served in the Air Force Reserves for 10 years. Don worked in the office machines business upon completing his Air Force active duty. After working for High Point Office Supply and Coleman Printing, in 1979, Don and Charles Fitzgerald opened Archdale Office Supply. Don continued to work part-time after retirement and kept an active interest in the company. Don was an active member of First Presbyterian Church since 1958. Over the years, he served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, Men of the Church, elder, deacon, and a member of the choir. He was the Thomasville Bulldog Boosters Club president for two years, and a recipient of the Doak Finch Meritorious Service Award. Don coached Little League football in Thomasville for 25 years and was one of the coaches for the 1972 state championship team. He continued his passion for football by working with kickers, not only at Thomasville High School, but across the states of North and South Carolina. Many high school kickers he coached went on to play at the college level, including ECU, NCSU, Naval Academy, Wofford College, Guilford College, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Winston-Salem State University and James Madison University. Several kickers went onto the arena football league and one went to the NFL Carolina Panthers. Don was a coach for Greensboro College’s inaugural football team, and was nominated as a member of the “Souper Men” of Greensboro College, based on his positive influence on someone’s life. Don and Rob Fritts operated Kickers Instruction Clinic for 21 years, providing summer camps for kickers, punters and long snappers. He coached with Sam Story of Burlington Williams HS during their championship season of 1999. Don also worked with Henry Trevathan at NCSU for 15 years, providing kicking summer camps. As a member of the Civitan International Service organization since 1965, Don served as president six times and received the Civitan of the Year Award six times. He received the Civitan International Honor Key, the highest award in Civitan. He was also recognized as a Victory Junction Fellow in 2010 for his service and received his 50 years of service award in 2014. Don served as PTA president at both Liberty Drive School and Main Street School while his daughters were in attendance there. He served on the Human Relations Commission, was a member of the Chair City Players and sang with the Voices of Brotherhood since 1965. One of the highlights of his life was being honored as a Volunteer Coach for more than 40 years on May 1, 2011, with the dedication of the two yellow goal posts in his honor at the Thomasville High School track and practice field. Tommy Hodges, his first kicker, led this effort honoring Don for his dedication to the kicking game. Until his health declined, Don and Jane enjoyed trips to Canada, Ireland, Hawaii, Germany, Holland and Switzerland with the David Williams group. Don and Jane moved to Piedmont Crossing in 2016, and he continued working with kickers as he was able up until his death. In 2019, Don wrote “Was It All Just For Kicks,” chronicling his life and his experiences with football and the many kickers he coached over the years. He was inducted into the George Whitfield Baseball Clinic Hall of Fame January 2020 for his contributions to sports and community activities. He was inducted into the Davidson County Sports Hall of Fame as an Unsung Hero October 2023, and the Thomasville High School Sports Hall of Fame in March 2024. He received the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International in September 2024. He credited his high school football coach, Marshall Edwards, for helping him return to high school after the death of his father when Don helped support his mother and sisters. Don believed in integrity, honesty, sportsmanship, physical fitness, and service to community and church. The Don and Jane Osborne Foundation has been established for a scholarship fund to continue his legacy of service to others, giving other promising young athletes who have a commitment to community service the opportunity to succeed. A funeral service will be held Monday, October 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 21 Randolph St, Thomasville, NC 27360 with Rev. Susanne Martin and Rev. David Millikan officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the church prior to the service from 11:00 AM-12:45 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Don and Jane Osborne Foundation, PO Box 131, Thomasville, NC 27361,Hospice of Davidson County, Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Sleep in Heavenly Peace of Asheboro PO Box 206, Asheboro, NC 27204 or the charity of their choice.

Donald "Don" Lee Osborne

September 5, 1933 - October 16, 2024

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