David Ford Osborne, 67, Berryton, Kansas, departed this earth to his heavenly home on July 15, 2021. Visitation will be at Topeka Bible Church on Friday, June 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. also at the Topeka Bible Church. The family suggests contributions to Transworld Radio or the International Navigators Christian organizations.

David was born May 3, 1954, in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Harold and Geraldine (Ford) Osborne. He graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School in 1972. During his childhood, David was involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts and achieved the Eagle Scout Award in high school. The Boy Scout leadership profoundly influenced his developing maturity as a young man.

As a senior in high school, David and his friend, George Granberry, rode their motorcycles making “donuts” in a church parking lot, which caused dust to accumulate into the unairconditioned youth house near Colonial Presbyterian Church. The Pastor invited them to come inside, and later that evening both young men made the decision to follow Jesus as their Savior.

David’s high school counselor told him that he would never succeed in college, and that he should attend a trade school after high school. That upset David, so he packed his car in Fall ‘72 and enrolled in Business at Kansas State University. After 2 semesters, David switched from Business to Construction Science Engineering, graduating with honors in 1976.

David married the love of his life, Suzanne (Mathewson) on August 1, 1976 at Colonial Presbyterian Church, in Kansas City. This year, 2021 they would have celebrated 45 years of marriage. In the Fall of 1976, David founded DF Osborne Construction to remodel homes. The business grew and quickly transitioned into The Osborne Company, a commercial construction firm. In 45 years of operation under his leadership, the company built over 2,000 successful projects, including churches, schools, multi-family housing, restaurants, office buildings, and theaters in 25 states.

David had a profound love for the Lord, his family, and his community. He was a member of Topeka Bible Church and enjoyed being a teacher in Sunday School and Small Group Bible Study leader. He served 20 years on the Board of Directors for the Aviation Explorer Scouts, at Topeka Billiard Airport. Earlier in life, David was involved in Optimist and Rotary Clubs.

David was extremely creative and loved woodworking, a skill he learned from his grandfather and developed throughout his entire life. He created elaborate wooden bowls, a “boat” bassinet for a grandchild, toy guns, barns, lego tables, and toy chests that were gifts for his children and grandchildren. Aviation was another of David’s passions. His uncle took him for his first airplane ride when he was 14 years old – he was hooked! He earned his pilot’s license in 1990, becoming an accomplished private, instrument, commercial and land and sea rated pilot with over 3000 hours of flight time.

David and Suzanne loved welcoming people into their home, especially the friends of each of the children. They hosted many events and groups for barbecues, hayrides and Bible Studies as well as several wedding rehearsal dinners of 100+ people. David loved cooking for these events to expand his culinary skills. Fruit carvings and gourmet desserts were some of his favorite creations.

In 1984, David and Suzanne made the decision to homeschool their children. As David’s business expanded out of Kansas, homeschooling the children allowed the family to be together where most of his projects were located. The family moved from Manhattan, Kansas in 1992; to Branson, Missouri until 1995; then to Topeka, Kansas, where they have lived for the last 25 years.

On August 16, 2012, David crash-landed his 4 seater Piper Comanche 260 airplane in rural Holton, Kansas, north of Topeka, Kansas, caused by total engine failure on a dark, moonless night. By the grace of God using his skill, David and his two passengers’ lives were spared that night. Many aviators, both military and civilian, commended him for being an outstanding pilot performing a feat that few pilots have survived. David gained a deep understanding through this experience that God is sovereign and in control of all things and that all our days are numbered. David wrote a book about the experience called “Five Minutes to Impact: The Final Flight of the Comanche.”

David also loved spending time at his cabin on Lake of the Ozarks. This cabin was originally built by his father and David spent much of his childhood vacationing there. David devoted his time into making it the perfect vacation spot for his children and grandchildren.

David’s family will miss him very much. He is survived by his loving wife Suzanne, his children: David "Daniel" (Stephanie); Matthew (Heather); Stephen (Elisabeth); Kathryn; Jonathan (Mallory); Carrie (Lance) Berry; Ruth (Andrew) Davis; Andrew, and Timothy (Rachel); 14 grandsons, and 5 granddaughters; his step-sister, Candice Ranney, and half sister Cheryl Weber.

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** service will begin broadcasting 10 minutes prior to the start of the service.**