https://www.goffmortuary.com/notices/Dwight-Osborn
Several classmates (thank you Susan Lambourne Stevenson, Pam Horsley Holmberg, Bill Cordray and Doug Bagley) are reporting that our dear friend Dwight Osborn passed away Christmas morning. His funeral is today, January 4th, 2019 in Draper. Click on the link above for more details.
As most of you know, Ozzie had been battling lung cancer for the past year in a transplanted lung he received five years ago that was intended to save his life.
Below is a link to the tribute to Dwight posted here before the "Ozzie's Last Run" event in August. Please take time to share your memories of Ozzie here.
Ozzie's Last Run August 31st
Ozzie’s Last Run
Friday, August 31, 2018 (5 p.m. until 9 p.m.)
Draper Park 123rd South and 13th East
If you were part of the 55th Reunion festivities two weeks ago, you likely heard me thank the 55th Reunion Committee for its tireless work over two years to make the event the success it was.
Then I paused. As I tried to focus on the script, silence got the best of me from the moment I encouraged our classmates to fill a glass. The script reads as follows:
"We begin with Dwight Osborn.
"Most of us know him as Oz, or Ozzie. Some us remember him as a skilled trumpeter, a decent basketball player, a neighbor, a reliable friend. Whether you encountered him first in grade school, as many of did, or in junior high, or at Olympus, you probably think of him most as one of the kindest, most thoughtful young men you ever met.
"I agree. With all of it.
"At our 40th Reunion 15 years ago, he looked like he was still in high school. Life had been good to him. He was healthy and strong, a marathon runner. And, he looked the part.
"Suddenly, between our 40th and 50th, he needed a new lung to survive. Miraculously, one was found in time. It was a bigger miracle that he survived the delicate transplant procedure. As he battled through the tenuous recovery process. I began to think of him as the Wizard of Oz --healing well enough to come to our 50th. And, growing stronger, strong enough to organize the music for our annual dinners from 2014, 2015 and 2016, and for this weekend's celebrations as well. As he seemed to grow weary late this Spring, he got by with a little help from his friend Dennis Holm.
"Despite failing health, he never missed a teleconference planning conference session, which requires plenty of physical stamina and patience too.
"And, then came the note from his daughter to some of his friends:
“Despite his multiple victories beating pulmonary fibrosis, open heart surgery and facial cancer, we felt it appropriate to throw our dad Dwight Osborn one last party to celebrate this amazing man!
"Unfortunately his most recent trial includes malignant cancer in his transplanted lung which means his time on this earth is growing short, so we intend to make the most of it!
"As you know, Dwight is a VERY social person with many friends and would LOVE if you could stop by and say hello. We will be at the North Pavilion at Draper Park (125th South and 13th East), light refreshments will be served."
We raised a glass to him that Saturday evening. If you live nearby or happen to be in Salt Lake City next Friday, please do drop the park to say hello an extraordinary friend and his family. I know all of them would be honored.
http://www.oly-sky63.com/Ozzies-Last-Run-August-31st.htm
|
Christopher Blakesley
Rest in Peace, Love, and Joy, Oz, You are one of the very best ever. Be runnin and singin, my dear friend. May all who love you have peace and solace..
Jan White (Giauque)
In high school dear Dwight was the example of the kind of person I wish I would have been. Through the years of "growing up" I have learned that I should have been more focused on others rather than myself. If I could do high school all over again I would have tried to be the kind of person Dwight exemplified. He was one of the kindest and most upstanding individuals I have ever known.
I am so sad to hear of his loss. We had communicated about music for the picnic up until the last few days before the event. He finally had to concede that he was not well enough to attend. He never complained or went into great detail about his condition which indicated to me that he was still the great guy we all had the privilege of knowing in high school.
Farewell to a wonderful man and our condolences to his beautiful family. Your loss is great but your memories have to be priceless!
Jan White Giauque
Carol Nakamura (Iwasaki)
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have known such a wonderful man since high school, and for his example of love, kindness, humility, faith and charity towards others. I am also grateful for the opportunity given to us to celebrate with him and his music at Draper Park just after our 55th high school reunion. Thank you to his lovely family for allowing us to share that time with Dwight. For many of us, it would be the last time we would see and embrace him here on earth. He is so loved and will be missed so much. May the Lord's special blessings be with him and his family until they are reunited again. Sending my love and appreciation for the wonderful example he was to us all.
Penny Heal (Breiman)
Such a loss. I feel very saddened. Kindness was Dwight’s hallmark. Yes do Rest In Peace dear Dwight. You made the world a better place.
Penny Breiman