Leon Franklin Osborne Jr.

Leon Franklin Osborne, Jr., 63, completed his courageous battle with cancer on October 24, 2017 at home surrounded by family and friends. He was able to enjoy the beauty of God’s magnificent sunsets.  Leon was born on April 3, 1954 in Pampa, TX to Leon Franklin and Dorothy Osborne. Growing up in the small northwest Texas community of White Deer, he developed a love for the land and the sky. Farming with his dad and uncles provided him numerous hours to watch the clouds and the stars. Leon graduated from White Deer High School, Utah State University (B.S. in Physics), and the University of Oklahoma (M.S. in Meteorology). Storm chasing and stargazing changed from just a hobby to a great career. Leon moved to Grand Forks in 1978 to begin his career with the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. He holds one of UND’s highest honors of Distinguished Chester Fritz Professor. He has served as the Director of the Regional Weather Information Center for almost 25 years. He has had the joy of teaching and guiding numerous undergraduate and graduate atmospheric science students over the years.  Leon combined his passion for research and technology with a concern for public safety. He successfully transferred his research to operations with the creation and management of Meridian Environmental Technology – a company that blazed the way in traveler information services and roadway management of snow and ice treatment methods. Leon never lost his connection to the farm, bringing together his knowledge of weather and agriculture. He was invited to speak to numerous groups across the Great Plains (ND, MN, MT, WI, and SD), many times sharing a weather outlook for what the growing season might hold. He soon became known as a “friend of the farmer.” Leon is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy Osborne; three sons,  John (Marci) Osborne of Grand Forks, Michael Osborne of Grand Forks, and Kurt Osborne of New Hope, MN; granddaughter, Fionna Osborne of Grand Forks; father, Leon Osborne, Sr. of White Deer, TX; sister, Becky Gililland of White Deer, TX; nephews, DJ Gililland (Andrea) of Hoover, AL and Chuck Gililland (Melissa) of Buffalo Gap, TX; niece, Cassandra (Aaron) Bond of South Point, OH; mother-in-law,  Laura Weese, White Deer, TX; brothers-in-law, Alan Weese, Childress, TX and Brian (Jennifer) Weese, Grand Prairie, TX. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Osborne; paternal grandfather, John Osborne; paternal grandmother, Minerva Osborne; maternal grandfather, Franklin Poe; maternal grandmother, Dorothy Poe; father-in-law, Jim Weese and brother-in-law, Darrell Gililland.  Memorials in Leon’s name can be submitted to the “Leon F. Osborne Science and Society Award” scholarship at the UND Alumni Foundation giving page (http://bit.ly/leon-memorial) or you can mail a check payable to: “UND Foundation” (memo: Leon Osborne Memorial) 3501 University Avenue Stop 8157   Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157 Funeral services will be conducted at Sharon Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be on Friday, October 27, from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will continue the hour prior to the funeral in the church. Interment will be at Calvary South Cemetery in Grand Forks, ND.