Samson Clyde Osborn

Sam grew up in Clyde Texas and graduated from Clyde High School in 1932. He worked odd jobs to support himself during the Depression, and eventually went to college at Huntington College in Huntington Indiana. At Huntington he met his wife Elva. They married December 29, 1938; they had been married 72 years at the time of his death. Sam moved to New Mexico with his family in 1946 after they ran out of money on their way to California. In New Mexico he began a career in education working in Salem, Hatch, Las Cruces, Mesilla Park, and Canutillo, TX Public Schools. His education career spanned four decades. Sam had a great devotion to teaching and often helped his students secure financial aid to attend college. His life was dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and Christian virtues. Sam was preceded in death by his mother, Mary; his father, James Franklin; his brothers, William, Alva, Jay Jay, and Johnny; his sisters, Mary, Anna, Ellen, Rosa, Belle, and Florence; and his children Marcus, Milton and Mary. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Elva of Las Cruces; his daughter Helen of New Braunfels, Texas; son Merle and wife Linda of Las Cruces; granddaughters Pam Panetti of New Braunfels, Texas and Chrystine Osborn of Austin, Texas; grandsons Lee Osborn and wife Sandy of Phoenix, Arizona; Johnn Osborn of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Dan Panetti and wife Tricia of Plano, Texas. He is also survived by four great-grandsons: Dylan Osborn, Preston Panetti, Parker Panetti and Campbell Panetti; three great-granddaughters: Hunter Osborn, Dani Ashelin Osborn and Sophi Panetti. Family suggests that in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to First Evangelical Free Church building fund, Franklin Graham Children's Shoe Box Ministries, or Mesilla Valley Hospice