Obituary of Dexter James Osborne

Dexter James Osborne went to join his heavenly Father on the evening of April 8, 2025. He was a long-time resident of Quartz Hill and lived in California for over sixty years but he never lost his Tennessee drawl. Born in Kingsport, Tennessee on December 20, 1932, to Bonnie (Emmer) Bartley and Canner Osborne, he was primarily raised by his grandparents, Johnny and Mollie Bartley. He was a brilliant student in Kingsport and began a life of service there through his volunteerism as a school safety patrolman at the tender age of 13.

Dexter enlisted in the Air Force as soon as he was of age where he tested into advanced training. He became a senior aircraft mechanic and served his beloved country faithfully in that capacity during wartime. He earned the Korean Service, National Defense, United Nations Service and Good Conduct medals. After leaving the service, he studied diligently and was able to pass the civil engineering exams and become licensed. He worked at Edwards Air Force Base as a civilian engineer before going into private practice.

Dexter met the love of his life, Janice Lee Bolen, at the Palomino Club of North Hollywood, then Country Music's best-known, Los Angeles area music venue. They were regular attendees of the country club during their romantic courtship and were once surprised by Johnny Cash’s impromptu performance, “The Legend of John Henry’s Hammer”. Janice and Dexter married on December 26, 1964, at Montecito Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, California.

He was a very giving man who thought of everyone else before himself. He did not have casual friends; it was friends for life and family first. He was a very talented self-taught musician and performed in barbershop quartets. One of his last requests was to hear the Moldau River one last time. He also loved fast cars and Harleys.

Dexter is survived by his sons, Jeff Osborne of Lynwood, CA; Derek Osborne and his wife, Carolyn of Malibu, CA; his daughter, Melanie Berry of Prescott, AZ; grandchildren, Cody, Kyle and Cierra Osborne, and Collin and Corbin Berry: and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Emma and Greyson Osborne. He joins his wife, Janice Lee Osborne née Bolen and their grandson, Conner, along with his brother, Marlin, father, Caner, and mother, Bonnie Bartley, in the everlasting Kingdom.