Richard Neil Osborne, Jr.

Born October 1st 1979 in Charlottesville Virginia. He was the son of Richard Osborne and the late Cindy Osborne. He is preceded in death by his Mother Cindy Osborne, Grandparents Carol Rea “Granddaddy”, Nancy Rea (Miller) “GG”, Fred Osborne “Pop Pop”, and Bobbie Osborne “Nana”. He is also preceded by Special Aunt and Uncle. Uncle Woodie Rea and Aunt Bobbie Rea.

Neil was the first born of five Osborne Children in Charlottesville Virginia. A supremely special lifetime bond was formed 1 year and 20 days later when his brother Chris was born. Neil and Chris became a one in the same persona through childhood. They were inseparable in everything from playing sports and inventing games to being mischievous in some of their adventures. 5 years later Paul was born and added a new layer of what being a big brother was for Neil. Adam was born 2 years later and Katie in 1990.

There is no perfect definition or instruction manual for “how to be a big brother” but somehow Neil mastered and modeled the big brother role of leader, friend, protector, influencer, teacher, and exemplified that nothing was more important than Family. Neil never strayed for an instance from the role of being the “go to” person for his Brothers and Sisters any time no matter the situation or the magnitude of what needed to be done or said.

In 1990 the Family moved to Wilkesboro North Carolina. Neil’s stoic confidence and sense of humor was static and as always he fit right in his new environment. Neil was very active and successful in little league baseball where he forged many bonds with teammates. He made many close lifetime friends in Wilkesboro where he graduated West Wilkes High School in 1997 where he played Football, Wrestled, and played Baseball. 

He attended and Graduated Western Carolina University with a BA in Computer Information Systems. During his College years Neil’s personality continued to develop and build on the foundation of Family first, do the right thing, and always find a way to laugh. During their college years Neil met 3 people that would remain his best friends throughout his entire life. They will always be referenced as members of his family. Seth Maney, Scott Cordell, and Mark Reed were to Neil what he was to his blood family and vice versa. 

Neil spent 4 years in Noblesville Indiana before chasing his dream to found his own business doing custom audio video project design and installation in Los Angeles through 2015. He enjoyed the 8 years of the LA lifestyle and loved taking weekend trips to Las Vegas. He moved back to Asheville with the intent to get back near his loved ones to be able to be more of an active presence. 

Since 2015 Neil’s career path changed. He started selling for Old Hickory Buildings and climbed into a business partnership manufacturing the steel, sourcing materials from all over the world. 

He thoroughly enjoyed wood working and completing projects ranging from jewelry boxes to murphy beds. It brought him great pride to be able to craft something special for his friends and family. He was a quaint humble person who never complained and never said an ill word about anyone. He was consistent in how he treated people no matter what walk of life. 

Neil was an avid sports fan his entire life. His story cannot be told without shining a light on how much he loved the comradery, fellowship, food, and banter that surrounded sporting events. He was a lifetime Virginia Cavalier fanatic and followed them in every sport. He loved the LA Dodgers and Lakers. His NFL team was the Carolina Panthers which speaks volumes about his character to be so loyal to a franchise with so little success. He arranged his travel every year around certain sporting events so that he could share his unique fan hood with his Friends and Family. Each Spring, he would travel to see his Father to watch the first weekend of the NCAA Basketball Tournament and in the fall the first weekend of NFL Football. He watched the Superbowl, Kentucky Derby, MLB Homerun Derby, and NBA Allstar weekend most years with his Brother Chris. Neil always found joy in knowing “who’s your team” and always had a fun interesting ways to insert humorous ribbing during, leading up to, and after the gatherings. These yearly traditions will be a bit melancholy without him present to add his special touch.

His most treasured roll and the one that leaves the heart and soul of his legacy was being “Uncle Neil”. All of his nieces and nephews loved to see him come. As soon as Neil would arrive he would use his famous “claw” to rile up all of the kids (and the pets). He has a special bond with every one of them. He will always be the “fun uncle” and there is no doubt that Uncle Neil is the embodiment of the foundation of what FAMILY means. He never missed a Birthday or a Holiday and made sure that if it was just him leaving early in the morning before everyone woke up, or a phone call that ended abruptly he always said “Tell everyone Uncle Neil says Hi!”

He was always present and available for anyone in need. Neil was a genuine, kind, unique, and self-less person. He will be missed immensely by all. His passing was sudden and tragic. 

He leaves behind a very big family and many loved ones. He is survived by his Father Richard Neil Osborne of Lakeland Florida. His Siblings Christopher Allen Osborne and wife Kayla Osborne of Easley, SC; Paul Stephen Osborne of Oklahoma City, OK; Adam Benjamin Osborne of Batesburg, SC; Katie Anne Osborne of Lakeland, FL. His Nephews and Nieces Lucas Allen Osborne of Hickory, NC; Jacob Daniel Osborne of Hickory, NC; Emily Grace Osborne of Lakeland, FL; Harding Meadow Osborne of Easley, SC; Hatteras Elaine Osborne of Easley, SC; Cameron Cynthia Green of Lakeland, FL; Hutch Silas Osborne of Easley, SC. His Uncles and Aunts Charles Frederick Osborne and wife Diane of Sierra Vista, AZ; Alice Marie White of Johnson City, TN; Emily Anne Frey and Husband Terry of Denver, CO; Andrew William Osborne of Mobile, AL; Dr. Woodrow “Woodie” Hamilton Rea and wife Sharon of Washington DC; Nancy Allyson Rea and husband Mark Gillispie of Charlottesville VA. Defacto Grand Parent James R. “Jim” Miller of Charlottesville, VA. First Cousins Susan Fishman, Fred Osborne, Lauren Bush, Ashley Ervin, Stephanie Frey, Kelly Frey.

Through his life Neil traveled and made lasting memories and lifelong connections and friendships that would be impossible to list them all. He was a friend to all, a true genuine soul who would lend an ear or hand to anyone and everyone. The Family would feel amiss not to recognize some of those closest to Neil that only last name separated them from being family Seth Andrew Maney and wife Amanda of Granite Falls, NC; Mark Reid and wife Shauna of Asheville, NC; Corky “Scott” Cordell and wife Jola of Asheville, NC; Joanie Beazley of Asheville, NC; Meg Beazley of Asheville, NC.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday 12/8/2023 from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at 1800 Drayton in Spartanburg. The family will provide food and beverage to all who attend. In lieu of Flowers the Family requests donations on his behalf to The American Heart Foundation.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Powdersville Road, Easley.