SUPPLY — Tommy Marion Osborne, 83, passed away Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, after a lengthy battle with chronic pain and Parkinson’s disease. He was born June 22, 1937, in Charlotte to Blanche Osborne and was raised in Pineville by his grandparents, Grover and Nannie Osborne.
He graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1955. Tommy lived on Lake Wylie, where he raised his family. He became a member of the Steele Creek Lodge 727 and also a member of the Steele Creek Volunteer Fire Department. It was during these years that he founded Action Fire & Safety Inc., selling and distributing fire and safety equipment to EMT and Fire Departments all over North Carolina and South Carolina. Tommy was president and CEO and ran the day-to-day operations until he retired in 1992 at the sale of the company.
After retirement, Tommy and a close friend opened a retail clock store, Timepieces Inc., in the Carolina Place Mall. They sold grandfather clocks and other interesting and unusual timepieces. He retired, again, when he sold his shares to his opening partner a few years later.
Tommy loved living on the water, fishing and boating. He retired to his “beach home” in 2011. He loved his family and friends, and with his quick wit and sense of humor, he loved a good story and funny joke.
Tommy is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sue Cosper Osborne; and his children, Steve Wendell Osborne, Sandra Osborne Bryant (Rick) of Campobello, South Carolina, and Mark Alan Osborne (Gwen) of Vale. He leaves six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Tommy will be laid to rest at the Flint HIll Baptist Church Cemetery, Fort Mill, South Carolina. He will have a private graveside service due to the COVID-19 virus. Pastor Dan Griffin will preside and Michael J. Fulwood Funeral Service Licensee is attending the family.
Memorials may be made in his name to Flint Hill Baptist Church, 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mill, SC 29715.
Share online condolences with the family at Michael J. Fulwood Funeral Service Licensee.
