John H. Osborne

John Holland Osborne, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Bonita Springs, FL, on March 4, 2024. He was 78 years old. For the last several years he fought a courageous battle against MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) a rare form of Parkinson’s disease.

John was born on June 4, 1945, in Kingsville, Texas. He is survived by his devoted wife, Renee Scronce Osborne, with whom he shared over 22 years of love and companionship. John is preceded in death by his parents, Father H. Paul Osborne, and Gladys Jones Osborne. He was raised alongside his siblings, sister, Ann Harlan Mitchell, of Wichita, Kansas, and brother Thomas Lee Osborne (deceased), and grew up to be a man of strong character and unwavering faith.

John’s love extended to his daughters and their families: Sarah Strydom (and grandson Ruan) of Lawrence, Kansas; Rebecca Phelan (and granddaughters Molly, Caitlin, and Emma) of St. Louis, Missouri; Kate Crafton (husband Duane, and granddaughter Grace) of Wichita, Kansas; and Nichole Sigmon (husband Tony, and grandson Vance) of Conover, North Carolina. He is also preceded in death by his beloved dog, Jenny, (Golden Labrador).

John served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where he studied at the Armor Officer Basic and the Intelligence Staff Officer School, collecting battlefield information regarding the enemy. John’s commitment to education continued throughout his life, as he studied ROTC at Wichita State University and engaged in Officer Club training. His thirst for knowledge and his determination to excel in every endeavor were evident in all aspects of his life.

Following his military service, John embarked on a successful career path. He worked at Uarco Business Forms, Inc. before joining Hilts Inc. and later serving as the Vice President of Operations at Superior Building Maintenance. John’s diverse professional experiences provided him with a breadth of knowledge and skills that would later contribute to his success as an entrepreneur.

Early in his career, John was inspired to become his own boss and start a company that catered to all business needs in one place. Thus, in 1976, Forms Management was founded. Over the years, John’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for customer service became the foundation for what would eventually become Midwest Single Source.

Under his leadership, Midwest Single Source became a trusted source for office supplies, next-day delivery service, over one million promotional products, furniture, printing, mailroom solutions, and expert consulting services. John’s vision for the company led to its expansion, including the addition of a corporate apparel division with embroidery and screen-printing equipment.

Throughout the company’s history, John remained dedicated to providing excellent service to his customers. His commitment to excellence and his unwavering integrity earned him respect and admiration within the business community and the many professional, educational, and non-profit boards on which he served, including Newman University Board of Directors, Friends University, Via Christi Foundation, and NBFA (National Business Forms of America).

John was a faithful man who loved the Lord. He was a cradle-born Episcopalian and lived by his faith. He served in several capacities in the Episcopal Church, including Senior Warden, Search Committee for Bishop, and Search Committees for Priests.

In his free time, John found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved to read the Bible, finding solace and inspiration within its pages. After his retirement John was often found reading a great book on history, theology, or autobiographies. John also had a passion for travel and golf. Thursdays and Saturdays were special as he spent time on the golf course with golf buddies that he deeply loved. Additionally, he enjoyed exploring the Bourbon Trail, especially during visits to his family’s homeplace in Garrison, Kentucky. John appreciated the finer things in life and relished being in the company of friends while savoring a glass of bourbon or wine. In 2016, John was inducted into the oldest food and wine society in the world, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Through this organization, John and Renee developed friendships with those who enjoyed the same passion of fine dining.

Beyond his professional accomplishments and personal interests, John’s true legacy lies in the lives he touched and the hearts he warmed. He was a beacon of kindness, generosity, and compassion, always ready to offer a helping hand or a listening ear. He loved animals and was a supporter of the Wichita Humane Society for many years. 

John will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love, faith, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.