LINCOLNTON, N.C. - Howard Eugene “Gene” Osborne, 57, met his Lord and Savior face to face on Sunday morning, September 21, 2025. 

He was born on January 7, 1968, in Lincoln County, to R.C. Osborne and Mary Lou Wise Osborne. 

He is survived by his wife, Leann Morrison Osborne of the home; son, McKenzie Osborne and wife MaKenzie of Lincolnton; son, Zach Morrison and wife Alayna of Jacksonville, N.C.; grandson, Cooper Reid Morrison…his papaw’s pride and joy; mother, Mary Lou Osborne of Lincolnton; brothers, Michael Osborne, and Robert “Bobby” Osborne and wife Sunny of Lincolnton; father-in-law, Fred Morrison; brothers-in-law, Jeff Morrison and wife Gloria, and Tracy Morrison and wife Danita; and a number of nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his father R.C. Osborne, and brother Randy Osborne. 

Gene was a man of few words, but when he did speak, it was usually something profound.  He seemed to have knowledge on any subject, and he never backed down from thinking he was right about everything (which he usually was).  He was talented in many areas – some days he was pouring and finishing concrete, other days you could find him in a kitchen somewhere, usually at church.  He dedicated over 22 years to cooking and catering for friends and family, especially his church family (just ask about his BBQ and sauce)!  If there was an event involving food, Gene was there.  He was so happy hearing people talk about how good everything was.  Keeping “his people” fed at church was a passion of his.  You might show up hungry, but if you left hungry, that was your own fault.  And don’t forget about his sweet tea!  To this day, no one can make it like he did…always added a secret ingredient (or two).

If you were his friend, you had a genuine one.  Friends like Gene are hard to come by.  He was definitely one of a kind.

He loved his wife, his boys, their girls, and Cooper Reid with an immeasurable amount of love.  He loved his friends and family with the same kind of love. 

Go rest high on that mountain, Gene-O.  We’ll see you again one day…

A Celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The service will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Bruce Brooks and Pastor David Jones officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Benevolence Fund or Building Fund at Calvary Baptist Church, 493 Calvary Church Road, Lincolnton, NC  28092.

Warlick Funeral Home of Lincolnton, N.C. is serving the Osborne family.