Merrill Mack Osborn

Merrill Mack Osborn

Sep 11th, 1943 - Jun 30th, 2020
  • Birth Date: Sep 11, 1943
  • Death Date: Jun 30, 2020
  • Location: Roselawn Cemetery
  • Save: Print this Obituary

Biography: Merrill Mack Osborn, 76, of Little Rock, passed away June 30, 2020 after a long illness.  He was born in El Paso, Texas on September 11, 1943.  He grew up in Paris, Arkansas where he spent his boyhood days roaming the woods and camping on Mount Magazine.  He loved being a boy scout.  His big love was deer hunting on public land.  He loved trains, playing baseball, (his Dad was the coach) guns, reading, and in his later years traveling through Ouachita National Forrest with his wife.  He loved all kinds of music; his favorite songs were, “Theme From a Summer Place” and “Moon River”.  Mack was a devoted father, husband, and grandfather and touched a lot of hearts with his humor and candor.

Preceded in death by his parents, John Bode and Hallie Nell (McPherson) Osborn, and a brother John Bode Jr.

He is survived by his wife Glynda Osborn of Little Rock; ex-wife Jimmie Osborn of Fort Smith; son Matthew Bode Osborn of Little Rock; daughter Patricia Jeanne Osborn of Crestview, Florida; seven grandchildren, Hallie Allyn Osborn, Nora Rose Osborn, Susannah Adelaide Osborn, Jennifer Elizabeth Dodd, Heather Suzanne Walker, Christopher Logan Walker, and Hallie Isabella Spence; and two great-grandchildren Alexander Carl Dodd, and Serenity Alice Dodd.

He excelled in sports at Paris High School and graduated in 1961 where he was Mr. Paris High. 

Mack attended Arkansas Polytechnic College for 3 years and graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  As a Supervisory Hydraulic Engineer, his career spanned 35 years with the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers Little Rock District, from November 15, 1966 to November 30, 2001.  Among his many accomplishments was Engineer of the year and on the Gallery of Distinguished Civilians.

A private family burial service will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Please observe safe distancing and wear a mask.

Due to the covid-19 pandemic we will have an open memorial at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Paris Little League Baseball, Paris Chamber of Commerce, 479-963-2244, Boys and Girls Club. 

Heaven just got one dam good Hydraulic Engineer.

Condolences(19)
Marc & Linda Johnson
#19
Jul 6th, 2020 9:46 am
We were sorry to hear of Mack’s passing. He was very good to the two of us as young hydraulic engineers in the consulting business who had the pleasure of working with him at the Corps for over 10 years. He always had a joke or story to tell us. He will be missed.
Nathaniel Keen
#18
Jul 6th, 2020 9:43 am
Mack hired me into the Corps shortly after I graduated from college. He retired about 2 months after I reported for work. His impact on my career seems like our time in the Corps overlapped for years! He was a fascinating supervisor. A mix of serious advice and playful mischievousness. His joyful approach to engineering work still casts a clever shadow over our office's culture.
Colonel Eric M. Noe
#17
Jul 6th, 2020 9:13 am
My deepest condolences to the Osborn Family for the loss of one of Little Rock District's Distinguished Civilian Engineers. With over 35 years of service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Nation and our fellow citizens, "Mack" epitomized professionalism in service to others while protecting their lives, livelihoods, and safety. 19 years after retirement, he is still remembered by the Little Rock District team no doubt due to his sense of humor, dedication and leadership. Thanks for lending him to us. God, indeed, has a great dam engineer. Respectfully yours, Eric M. Noe, Colonel, U.S. Army, 61st Commander and District Engineer, Little Rock District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Essayons!
Charles and Anne Allen
#16
Jul 6th, 2020 7:16 am
We are so saddened about our loss of Mack! Please remember that your faith, family and friends are your sources of peace, strength and comfort. Charles and Anne
Pat Bennett
#15
Jul 5th, 2020 7:11 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Mack's passing. I worked with him while he was with the Little Rock District, Corps of Engineers. I always enjoyed every interaction I had with him. He was so knowledgeable and funny. He will be missed.
Rita Atkinson
#14
Jul 5th, 2020 5:13 pm
Glynda and family,
May the precious memories you shared with Mack over the years be of comfort to you. Mack was a first class gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficulty of times. God bless you.
Tom and Patty Wiggins
#13
Jul 4th, 2020 6:18 pm
Tom played ball with Mack when they were kids and Mack’s dad was their coach. They were both great players. I was one of the girls that watched them not that they noticed. We went to high school together and Mack and I were classmates. We were all good friends and Mack will always rest in our memories.
Ed Chapman
#12
Jul 4th, 2020 3:32 pm
Mack had a lot of friends and we all have many fond memories of him and his perspective on about everything. He was a fellow classmates at the U of A, the same age and small town background and we wound up working many many years together at the Corps of Engineers. Glynda I hope you are doing okay. You are one of the finest people I have ever known. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Katherine Brightop
#11
Jul 3rd, 2020 9:56 pm
My condolences to his family and my friend Patricia my heart hurts for your earthly loss but rejoices for the reunion in heaven. ❤️
Dale Gossien
#10
Jul 3rd, 2020 6:11 pm
It was with great sadness that I read of Mack's passing. He and I attended Arkansas Tech together. After transferring to Fayetteville to finish our Civil Engineering degrees, we roomed together in an old house on Willow Ave. Jimmy you may remember, when we went on a taking out the trash strike for over a month. The landlady sure was upset after we finally dumped it.. After graduation, following my Navy days, he was in my wedding. We sort of drifted apart while pursuing our careers. The last time I saw Mack was after a football game in Little Rock. I fully anticipated seeing him again. Sorry, Mack!
Dan Gray
#9
Jul 3rd, 2020 1:48 pm
My sympathies to Mack's family and friends. And I'm honored to be one of 'em. Sad news, indeed. RIP, Mack.
Carnell Proctor
#8
Jul 3rd, 2020 1:45 pm
To Glynda & all the family: with our deepest sympathy to you in Mack’s passing. May God hold you close, give peace to your hearts, & sustain you in all the days ahead. Jim & Carnell Proctor
Celeste Fox
#7
Jul 3rd, 2020 1:19 pm
On behalf of my sister Barbara Fox Robinson, I would like to express my sincere sympathy. Barbara went to Paris High School with Mack.
Marcy Davee
#6
Jul 3rd, 2020 12:39 pm
You’re right, the world just lost a great guy! I’ll always be appreciative for your friendship. Many prayers to your family as they continue without you. Rest In Peace Mack!
Joe and Julie Clements
#5
Jul 3rd, 2020 10:29 am
Glynda our prayers are with you and the family. Time has passed very quickly and yet, it was a long trek for you and Mac. Joe and Julie.
Isaacs Family
#4
Jul 3rd, 2020 9:02 am
We are so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

The Isaacs Family
Cathy Cameron
#3
Jul 3rd, 2020 8:43 am
Glynda, Bode, and Patti,
My deepest sympathy is extended to all of you and the rest of Mack’s family. Mack was a dear friend and there are many of us at the Corps who treasured his laughter, wisdom, and goodness of heart. He was proud of his family and often shared stories—-of course, he always made them funny
Charles A Howard
#2
Jul 2nd, 2020 11:29 pm
Seeing this obituary of my close friend Mack Oborn makes me so very SAD. Mack was my college roommate at Arkansas Tech from 1961 through 1963. We had a lot of fun together. We became acquainted with each other at the beginning of our freshman year. I worked in the college cafeteria Monday through Friday and every other weekend. Mack would go home to Paris every weekend. Some of the times when Mack was going home, I would ride with him as far as Paris and then I would hitch-hike the rest of the way to my home in Roland, OK. I have a lot of wonderful memories and fun times of Mack which we discussed via telephone over the last two years. I will forever miss him.
Patricia Osborn
#1
Jul 2nd, 2020 10:34 pm
My sweet, sweet Daddy! You will be missed every day for the rest of my life. I love you more than you ever knew!

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