John Herbert Osley

John Herbert Osley, 69, left on his final journey to be with the Lord on November 25, 2015, after a brave battle with cancer in which he never lost his spirit. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 19, 1946 at the New Biloxi Hospital on the beach. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul E. and Johnnie Gerkens Os-ley. He is survived by his wife Linda McGuffee Osley and his daughters Laurie Pitalo (Danny) and Dodie (Robert Whitworth); four grandchildren, Gage (Susie), Jonathan, Nicole (Chris), and Josh; sisters, Paula Allen (Steve), Susan Dubaz (Danny), and Kai Taylor (Billy); brothers, Steven, Danny (Jeanie), and Richard (Cindy); his loving aunts, Jean Bulinski, Alma Campbell, Anna Welch, Sally Gingles, Tillie Mallett, Harriet Seymour, and Martha Dartez. He also leaves behind a host of uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many very dear friends. John was a 1964 graduate of Maconaquah HS in Indiana. He then attended Jefferson Davis Community College on the Gulf Coast. From there, he joined the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in New York where he completed his certification in electronics. In 1969, he married his devoted wife Linda. Shortly after returning to the coast, he was employed by French’s Drug Store in Gulfport. He then worked for Ingalls Shipyard as an electrician. Upon his retirement from Ingalls, he was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a Yacht Captain for 17 years. His adventures allowed him to travel through the Caribbean Islands, Nova Scotia, and numerous trips up and down the Mississippi River. He was an avid train collector and an exceptional artist. He always wanted to help those less fortunate and led many to accept Christ as their Savior. He was a member of Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, FL. but has been attending Mosaic Church in Ocean Springs. Final arrangements are at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue Chapel in Biloxi. A memorial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2015. Visitation will be from noon until 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge, 2609 River Road, New Orleans, LA 70121 or The Humane Society of South Mississippi. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the MICU nurses and doctors at Ocean Springs Hospital, as well as the volunteers of Hope Lodge in New Orleans.