Judge Samuel Louis Osborne, age 83, formerly of Wilkesboro, NC passed away Monday, October 3, 2022 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law on Oak Island, NC, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
He was born on September 26, 1939 in Iredell County, NC, to Kelly Paul and Marjorie Dula Osborne. He graduated from Wilkes Central High School in 1957 and from UNC Chapel Hill in 1961. He then entered the U.S. Navy and served for four years, including time as a flight Navigator over the Atlantic. After completing his service to his country, he returned to the UNC School of Law; two years later he began practicing in Wilkes County. He practiced law for a few years before being elected District Court Judge in 1970, serving the counties of Wilkes, Ashe, Yadkin, and Alleghany. He served as Chief Judge for many years, retiring in 1994.
During his college summer breaks, he worked at Yellowstone National Park. He would spend his free time hiking, often alone, into the wilderness to fish the park’s pristine waters. His lifelong love of fishing led him all over the world, including Newfoundland, New Zealand, and Iceland. He enjoyed many days fly fishing and tying flies to match the hatch and outwit the trout at his second home on the Watauga River in Elizabethton, Tennessee. When he could not fish, he enjoyed dominating his family at Jeopardy! He never missed a UNC Tar Heel basketball or football game.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Paul Brown Osborne. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Loretta Johnson Osborne; his daughter Melissa Carter and husband Sean; his sons Louis Osborne and wife Jennifer of Charlotte, NC; and Alan Osborne of Florida. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Mckenzie Carter, and grandsons Hunter and Brandt Osborne; his sisters Susan Osborne of Greensboro, NC, and Marilyn Payne of Wilkesboro, NC.
At the request of the family no services are planned at this time.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Osborne family.
The family wishes to thank special caregivers, Tina and Hannah for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to; Liberty Hospice, PO Box 200, Supply, NC 28462.
Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service Southport, NC.
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