Ozzie’s Last Run 
Friday, August 31, 2018 (5 p.m. until 9 p.m.)
Draper Park 123rd South and 13th East

If you were part of the 55th Reunion festivities two weeks ago,  you likely heard me thank the 55th Reunion Committee for its tireless work over two years to make the event the success it was.

Then I paused.  As I tried to focus on the script, silence got the best of me from the moment I encouraged our classmates to fill a glass.  The script reads as follows:

"We begin with Dwight Osborn. 

"Most of us know him as Oz, or Ozzie. Some us remember him as a skilled trumpeter, a decent basketball player, a neighbor, a reliable friend.  Whether you encountered him first in grade school, as many of us did, or in junior high, or at Olympus, you probably think of him most as one of the kindest, most thoughtful young men you ever met.

"I agree.  With all of it.

"At our 40th Reunion 15 years ago, he looked like he did in high school.  Life had been good to him. He was healthy and strong, a marathon runner.  And, he looked the part.

"Suddenly, between our 40th and 50th, he needed a new lung to survive. Miraculously, one was found in time.  It was a bigger miracle that he survived the delicate transplant procedure. As he battled through the tenous recovery process. I began to think of him as the Wizard of Oz --healing well enough to come to our 50th. And, growing stronger, strong enough to organize the music for our annual dinners from 2014, 2015 and 2016, and for this weekends celebrations as well.  As he seemed to grow weary late this Spring, he got by with a little help from his friend Dennis Holm.

"Despite failing health, he never missed a teleconference planning conference session, which require plenty of physical stamina and patience too.

 "And, then came the note from his daughter to some of his friends:

“Despite his multiple victories beating pulmonary fibrosis, open heart surgery and facial cancer, we felt it appropriate to throw our dad Dwight Osborn one last party to celebrate this amazing man!

"Unfortunately his most recent trial includes malignant cancer in his transplanted lung which means his time on this earth is growing short, so we intend to make the most of it!

"As you know, Dwight is a VERY social person with many friends and would LOVE if you could stop by and say hello. We will be at the North Pavilion at Draper Park (125th South and 13th East), light refreshments will be served."

We raised a glass to him that Saturday evening.  If you live nearby, or happen to be in Salt Lake City next Friday, please do drop the park to say hello an extraordinary friend and his family.  I know all of them would be honored.