Frederick Jay Osmer

Frederick Jay Osmer at the age of 90, passed in his sleep on Monday, June 17, 2024. He

was born December 9, 1933, in Owosso, Michigan. Fred was a unique individual with incredible

humor. He spent his youth in Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University, with a

Master’s Degree in Arts and a Minor in Education. He took that knowledge and became a

teacher, principal, superintendent, redirectional instructor, night school director, and guidance

counselor in Leon Co., Florida, and Alexander Co., North Carolina. His last lecture was given at

Lenior-Rhyne College.

Fred discovered his passion for golf at the age of 15. This relentless pursuit led to a spot

on the Owosso High golf team, WMU team, and Fort Bragg team. He worked at countless golf

courses and won countless tournaments including the “Father and Son Tournament” where he

played with his son David, held in South Field, Michigan. Fred holds the course record from the

blue tees at Rock Barn in North Carolina, where his son Jay was a PGA professional. He has

won 13 gold medals from the N.C. Senior games, and after 15 hole in ones, he stopped counting

and played into his 87th year.

Fred met the love of his life Bonnie in 1957 and they were married for 66 years and had

three children. He joined the Army where he served his country honorably assigned to the 82nd

Airborne as a paratrooper. Fred was a world traveler and avid sailor who sold sails for sailboats

in Florida and owned a San Juan 24 which he raced and sailed with his family around the Florida

Keys. Fred spent the last half of his life in Taylorsville, North Carolina, where he was Sports

Editor for the Taylorsville Times, and along with his wife and daughter, owned and operated a

“Giovannis” Italian Restaurant. He hiked to the top of Rocky Face Mountain in Hiddenite, North

Carolina with his grandchildren at the age of 83. Fred then retired in 1996 to travel and play golf.

Fred Osmer was survived by his loving wife Bonnie Gilreath Osmer and his sister Connie

(Jerry) Voight. His legacy continues in his sons David and Jay Osmer, his daughter Chris Osmer

Fletcher, grandsons Andrew and Christian Osmer, Daniel and Emet Fletcher, and granddaughters

McCall and Gigi Fletcher. He also deeply loved his son-in-law Sean Fletcher, daughters-in-law

Sherry and Gaia Osmer, and granddaughter-in-law Karaline Osmer. He is preceded in death by

his parents Fred and Morna Osmer. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

The example of Fred’s existence is an overwhelming message of learning thyself. Please

remember never to stop searching within to find that which is true love.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com