Gordon Leslie Osborne

Gordon Osborne passed away August 29th in Salem at the age of 88. He was born in Salem on September 21, 1928 and was a graduate of Salem High School. He served in the U.S. Army, attended the University of Oregon, and earned a Master’s in Social Work from Florida State University. He married Patricia Cooper and they had two children, Alan and Talli. He and Pat later divorced. Gordon was a psychiatric social worker and founded the Oregon Association of Marriage Counselors and Family Therapists. He retired from the Oregon State Mental Health Division in 1989.

He truly enjoyed his retirement years. He became a clown (“Oz the Cool Fool”), stand-up comedian, and connoisseur of wine. Other interests included old cars, big dogs, jazz music, live theater, and researching the Osborne name. In addition to an active social life, he remained young in spirit by growing a pony tail in his 60’s, piercing his ear in his 70’s, and getting a tattoo (“OZ”) in his 80’s. He loved Salem and was proud to spend nearly his whole life there.

His greatest love was his five grandchildren: Ellen and Mary Osborne, Emily, Anna and Jack Pierre. In addition to his grandchildren, he is survived by Alan (Teresa), Talli (Denny), his brother Warren (Dorothy), nephew Dan, and niece Kathy.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 19th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pentacle Theater, http://pentacletheatre.org, a place Gordon enjoyed for decades as a season ticket holder.

Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.