Jay Rodney Osborne, 61, of Indianapolis, passed away April 18, 2017. He was the fourth son of the late Meredith E. (Jr.) and Kathryn O. (Pettigrew) Osborne. He was born in Shirley, Massachusetts on November 28, 1955 at Fort Devens Army Hospital.

Jay''s formative years were spent in Massachusetts, Indiana, and Texas, settling finally in Indiana after his father''s retirement from the United States Air Force. After graduation from Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis in 1974, he entered the United States Air Force, serving six years as a munitions system specialist. After leaving military service, he attended Indiana Vocational Technical College receiving a degree in Applied Sciences in Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology. Jay always had a happy smile to share with family and friends and was most often seen dressed in red with his long white hair and beard eliciting references to Santa Claus. The holidays were his favorite times of the year, when he donned his own Santa suit, playing the part quite well. All who knew or met Jay were in the presence of a genuine jolly soul and were the richer for it.

Jay is survived by his daughter, Ashley (Michael) Ayers of Florida; grandsons, Andrew and Gabriel; sister, Tamela (Steve) Sowers of Lansing, Illinois; and brothers, Meredith E. (Bonnie) Osborne III of Wantage, New Jersey, Jon M. (Jean) Osborne of Westfield, Indiana, Walter D. (Suzan) Osborne of Mooresville, Indiana and "brother from another mother", James R. Mynatt of Mooresville, Indiana. He also cherished a long-time special friendship with Brenda S. Mackovich of Westfield, Indiana. His many cousins and an Uncle Wes Hines of Florida he dearly loved.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 23 at 2:00 pm in Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1977 S. State Rd. 135, Greenwood. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Toys for Tots.