John Mack Osborne Jr.

John was born in Marked Tree, Arkansas, on September 22, 1921, to Ella and John Mack Osborne, Sr. He graduated valedictorian from Tippah-Union High School in 1939, and valedictorian from Holmes Jr. College in 1941. He graduated from Ole Miss in 1943, and graduated from Midshipman School at Northwestern University. He was commissioned Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He fought bravely in Guam and Peleliu and was awarded the American Theatre of War Medal, two Asiatic-Pacific Area Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. John graduated cum laude from Jackson School of Law and passed the bar in the early 1960s.

John married Rosa Nell Pitts in 1943, and together they had five children. John followed his calling to help troubled youth, serving as the Jackson Police Department’s chief juvenile officer and chief youth counselor. He retired in 1972. He served as the Mississippi Department of Youth Services’ regional supervisor of Youth Counselors in middle Mississippi. Later in life, he was administrative assistant to Commissioner Luther Roan. For nearly 70 years John was a devoted member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church. He also was a member of the Jackson Chapter of Barbershop Harmony Society for over 35 years. Although very soft-spoken, he was fond of reminding us he was the “Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion of the World … of Union County.” He taught us to “love everybody” and that “behind the clouds the sun still shines.” He was a prolific letter writer, sending up to 40 letters a day to lift the spirits of folks all around Mississippi.

John is survived by his children, Mack, Mark, Jayne, and Wayne; grandchildren, Alison, Amy, Michael, Charlie, Noah; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Nell, daughter, Anna Lynn, and grandson, John IV.

Funeral services and visitation will be held Monday at Woodland Hills Baptist Church, 3327 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS with visitation from 12:00-2:00 p.m. and funeral services at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the Anna Lynn Osborne Memorial Trust at the Mississippi Baptist Foundation, 515 Mississippi St., Jackson, MS, 39205, 601-292-3210.

The family would like to thank Barbara Henderson Pringle, Bruce Cutting, Candise Johnson, and Tommie Nell Hannaford for all the care and love they gave John during his last days.