Otis Oland Osburn March 05, 1938 – February 05, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Sympathy Card Otis Oland Osburn died peacefully and went to be with Jesus on February 5, 2019 at his home in Stanwood, WA. Otis was born on March 3, 1938 to Tom and Gladys Osburn in Nyssa Oregon. He was one of 7 children born to a farming family during the Great Depression.
Many of his younger days were spent working on the farm in Oregon, and later in Sunnyside and Quincy, Washington. While attending high school in Quincy, Otis was involved with wrestling and played the violin. He graduated in 1957 from Quincy High School and spent a year attending college at East Texas Baptist College.
He decided to pursue a career as an electrician. Otis began working as an electrician in Seattle. It was here he met Phyllis White while attending Northgate Baptist Church.
They later married in 1968 at the church where they met. He worked in this field as an electrician for over 30 years, but spent most of his career working at Intalco Aluminum in Ferndale. It was in Ferndale that he settled with his wife Phyllis and raised 4 daughters.
The farming lifestyle never left Otis, and he grew blueberries on his property in Whatcom County for 40 years. Otis developed many lifelong hobbies throughout his life. In college, Otis met his lifelong friend Mike Moore, who introduced him to mountaineering.
They began by climbing Mt. Shasta. Otis continued this hobby, climbing Mt.
Rainier, Mt. Baker, and many other peaks throughout the Cascades. Another hobby Otis pursued was playing the violin with Quist Violins.
He performed in many local events such as the Highland Games and Christmas concerts with this group. Above all else, Otis was a dedicated and obedient Christian. He spent countless hours volunteering in various capacities; from teaching Sunday school to working with his church youth group.
He used his skills to help others repair buildings here, and abroad. Otis volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and built water filtration systems in Africa. In retirement Otis and Phyllis went to South America to help with various building projects for Wycliffe.
Otis spent his final years in Stanwood, WA. being cared for at home by his wife Phyllis, and with much support from Better Care Solutions. The family would like to thank Michelle, Jill, Chelsee, Jolene, and many other caregivers who showed kindness to Otis in his final months.
Otis leaves behind his wife Phyllis of 50 years, and his daughters Naomi Killian (Kevin), Anita Kobata (Daren), Rebecca Buchanan (Rhett), and Deborah Ridgeway (Nick) as well as 13 grandchildren. A memorial will be held on Saturday, March 23rd at 11:00 at Cedarhome Baptist Church in Stanwood. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Wycliffe Bible Translators.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
