Lester Everett Osmun

Lester Everett Osmun was born on August 30, 1938 to Gaylord Ellis Osmun and Violet Mina Steinbacher Osmun in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has two sisters, Patricia Scheiber and Linda Barker, also of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Les joined the United States Air Force in 1955 at the age of 17. His basic training was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. After basic training he was stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas, which is where he met the love of his life, Zelda Hedgpeth. It was love at first sight. They married on February 21, 1958, and were blessed with a daughter, Rebecca, in December of that year. In 1961, they moved to Japan, where Les was stationed at Fuchu Air Force Base. While there, Les and Zelda were blessed with another daughter, Sheri, and a son, Jeffrey.

In 1964, the family returned to Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, but then in December 1966, Les was deployed to Vietnam, where he served for one year. During that time, he and family sent letters and audio tapes to each other. After returning to the United States in January, 1968, he and the family transferred to Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, where he was a K-9 security instructor.

The family was again transferred in 1970 to Bentwaters/Woodbridge Air Force Bases in England, where he served at the Kennel Master for both bases. The family returned to Lackland AFB in January, 1975, during which time, he served as an instructor at the K-9 academy. Les retired from the Air Force in 1975 after serving 20 years, 26 days, and 12 hours.

Of all of his travels he liked England the best, but his favorite place of all was with his family at home.

Les leaves behind 9 grandchildren: Traci Justice and husband Aric, Danielle Henley and husband Hagan, Matthew Clouse, Brady Osmun, Seth Osmun and wife Stephanie, Jeffrey Wahl, Austin Bowen, Addy Bowen, Max Justice; 7 great-grandchildren: Preston Jean,Tucker Jean, Hudson Henley, Hazel Henley, Branley Clouse, Austyn Clouse, Rylee Clouse; 11 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Les spent his years after retiring from the Air Force providing for his wife Zelda, building a beautiful home together, and enjoying their family. Les loved nothing better than to watch his grandsons and great grandsons play sports.

He and Zelda loved to travel and square dance, and they loved visiting with their neighbors. Later in life, one of his best companions was Bella, his blue heeler, who he would take for a morning ride to get the paper and donut holes. Les never met a stranger. He was witty and funny and, on occasion, could be a bit sarcastic. Everyone enjoyed listening to his stories.

We will miss him terribly. We will miss his smile and his handsome face. You will never meet a man who loved his wife more than Les did. In his final days, his main concern was making sure Zelda was cared for.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday, December 1st at Laurel Land Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 10 am Wednesday, December 2nd at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel, 7100 Crowley Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76134 with the Graveside service to follow in Laurel Land Memorial Park.