Roll Call Tribute

Carl Roderick "Roddy" Osborne

December 6, 1935 - October 10, 2022

Carl Roderick Osborne (Roddy) passed into heaven's gates on October 10, 2022. Roddy was born December 6, 1935, in the North Texas town of Terrell to Tim and Christine (Blaine).

He grew up in nearby Gainesville and in 1954, went to Texas A&M on a football scholarship. While at Texas A&M as a quarterback under Head Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant he led the undefeated 1956 Texas Aggie Football Team to win the Southwest Conference. Roddy was All Southwest Conference in 1956 and later was drafted into the National Football League by the Cleveland Browns. While at A&M, a former sports journalist said. "He couldn't run, and he couldn't pass, all he could do was beat you." Following his football career, he spent several years in the U.S. Air Force before being honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. While in the Air Force, he was stationed in Germany and was responsible for provisioning aircraft atomic munitions.

Roddy learned many things from his days in the military and as an Aggie under Coach Bryant. He applied those concepts in all aspects of his life and specifically when he returned to Football and coached at Abilene Christian University and Harding University in Arkansas. He loved coaching football, building teams and teaching young men and women in the classroom at the university level. Roddy received a Master's in Psychology while at Harding University and studied for his PhD in Child Psychology at Florida State University. As he succeeded in his roles, he often communicated that football was just a game, but the principles learned in playing football applied throughout life.

Roddy was modest about his faith in God but gently shared the gospel of Jesus with others. He had his favorite scriptures to quote with loved ones to be sure they knew Jesus. Roddy returned to Gainesville in the 1970s joining his father in their real estate business. He and his father had many successes in residential and commercial real estate. In 1980, Roddy was selected and traveled with representatives of the Federal Housing Administration to Egypt to meet with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and consult with Egyptian officials on how to develop low-cost housing.

Roddy was also honored by Texas A&M in 2009 when he was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame. While these accomplishments may have seemed significant, Roddy rarely mentioned them unless asked and preferred to focus on US and world events or his three children and his 11 grandchildren.

Roddy is survived by his loving wife of 25 years Janis (Land), and his three children, Kerry and wife Veronica of Dallas TX, Kevin and wife Stacy of Salida CO, and Kathy Hiser and husband Tim of Salida CO.

He is also survived by his sister Karen Otts, mother of his children Mary Lou Leftwich, grandchildren Jordan Osborne, Jacob Osborne (Kayla), Lindsey Osborne, Noah Osborne, Chandler Buehler (Brian), Logan Osborne (Katelyn), Madison Price (Kiefer), Will Osborne, Jesse Osborne, Cole Hiser (Kristina) and Clay Hiser (Megan) and 6 great-grandchildren Griffin Buehler, Olivia Osborne, Liam Hiser, Brayden Hiser, Grace Hiser, and Emma Hiser. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, dear friends, and loved ones.

The family would like to thank AccentCare Hospice for their sweet, attentive medical care for Roddy during these difficult days. There will be a private family memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in Roddy's memory to the Andrew Wommack Ministries at www.awmi.net, or the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX, 77840.

Arrangements are under the direction of Eastgate Funeral Home of Garland. Online condolences can be made at https://eastgatefuneralhome.com