Elmer James Osburn

Elmer James Osburn went to the Great Trail Ride in the Sky on March 29, 2010, his dues had been paid, a place set at the chuckwagon table and the Great Trail Master welcomed him with open arms. Elmer lived his life with kindness, trust, forgiveness and love with a heart as big as Texas. He practice this art for 83 years, 10 months and 19 days, being born May 10, 1926. He shared his birthday with his closest friend and coon-hunting buddy, Eddie Tarrant. They had a weekly ritual of phone calls on Sunday for over 45 years. They had met and worked together at Swift’s processing plant in Fort Worth, TX, and spent countless hours in the woods with Walker, Red Bone and Black and Tan coon dogs as well as many coon-hunting experiences.

Elmer shared his passion for gaited horses, namely Missouri Fox Trotters, with his family, his buddy and his friends. He sent two colts to Texas with Eddie Tarrant as well as starting his grandchildren hunting and riding.

Family came first with Elmer and his word and promises were rock solid. He took pride in his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He often went on trail rides with his close nephew, Tim Osburn, and each enjoyed joking about the other’s horsemanship and cooking. Elmer loved to catfish the Osage River and disliked camouflaging duck blinds, especially when after doing so, hunters took knives to the native grasses put there. He could keep you entertained with his talks of work and his life. Elmer was a member of the Missouri Fox Trotting Association and United Kennel Club.

Elmer and Louise (Hendren) were married on Dec. 22, 1945, and to this union one daughter, Diane, was born. Louise preceded him in death in February 1983. He then married Paulette (Doman) Tankersley and gained another daughter, Paula “Annie” Tankersley. Elmer retired from the Missouri Conservation Department in 1988, after 16 years of service at the Schell City Wildlife Area.

He was born in Durham, AR, the son of Rosco and Rose (White) Osburn in a family of 11 children.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Paulette, of the home in Schell City; two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Bill Moore – El Dorado Springs, and Paula “Annie” and Duane Johnson – Schell City; four grandchildren – Waylon, Dalton, Harley and Colt Johnson – all of Schell City; one sister; Ruth Wood and her husband, Paul – Fayetteville, AR; one brother, Wade Osburn and his wife, Marge – Schell City; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Louise, eight siblings – Christopher Columbus Osburn, Frankie Jan Osburn, Ellen Frost, Clemmie Dudley, Etta Hoague, Hubert Osburn, Dall Osburn and Alice Flowers; and one great-niece, Kristina Osburn.

Live everyday one day at a time; and to every life there is a reason.

Services were held Wednesday, March 31, at the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City with Brother James Damon officiating. Pallbearers were - Randy Fletcher, Jack Shatford, Roger Wombwell, Larry Dade, Loel Wilson, Dennis Vantellman, Kenny Hallam and Roger Dade Jr. Honorary pallbearers were - Quentin Walsh, Donnie Fletcher, Eddie Tarrant and Jim Bacon.
Interment was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Taberville. Arrangements were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.