Victor E. Osher, Jr., 84, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Graham Hospital in Canton, Ill.
Mr. Osher was born Feb. 17, 1934 to the late Victor E. Osher Sr. and Margaret Smith Osher in St. Louis, Mo. They later moved to Farmington, Mo., where all his formal education occurred and he graduated from Missouri College with an electrical engineering degree in 1954. Shortly thereafter, he entered into the Naval Aviation training program in Pensacola, Fla., where he gained his commission and Naval Aviator wings in Dec. 1955, for a career of twenty years.
During his career, he had three Mediterranean tours, one year at "Operation Deep Freeze" and two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded Air Medal (with bronze 5), Antarctica Service Medal (with winter over clasp), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with Bronze Star), Vietnam Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit (with palm), and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon (with 1960 Device).
After retirement, he settled in 1995 to help care for his mother until she died in 2011. He was active and carried a number of offices in veterans organizations with VFW 6477, AMVETS 29, American Legion 630 and 153. He was also active for 10 years with the Veterans Honor Guard.
In June 1956, he married Carol L. Stevens. From this union three children were born. Carol preceded him in death. He later married Nancy K. Cloud. She also preceded him in death.
Survivors include his three children; Christina Lynn Osher (Michael Reith) of Canton, Victor Edward Osher III of Gulfport, Miss. and Kelly Diane (John) Koury of Dallas, Tex.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Connie Howlett of Park Hills, Mo., and a brother, Danny Osher, of Poplar Bluff.
A brother-in-law, Ronald Howlett, also preceded him in death.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Jim Schremp officiating.
Burial with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo.
Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Victor E. Osher, Jr.; please visit www.cotrellfuneralservice.com to leave a condolence message.
Paid