Mr. Louis Lamont Osmer, Jr. (Lou), longtime resident of Grant County, NM, soldiered his way over the great divide on March 6, 2018 at the age of 93, while residing at Fort Bayard Medical Center. Mr. Osmer’s family wish to express our deepest gratitude to the many dedicated, gentle, patient, attentive care providers he had over the last few years.

Lou was born on October 26, 1924 at Mimbres Hot Springs, NM, to Louis L. Osmer Sr. (Pat) and Gretchen Dixon Osmer.

He completed high school in Silver City prior to military service in WWII.

He was first drafted into the army, then enlisted in the Marines in 1943, serving in the Pacific theater as an aircraft armorer until discharge as a sergeant in 1946. He then worked for a time for the Southern Pacific Railroad and the New Mexico Highway Department.

Lou learned the mining trade from his father in the Burro Mountains. Throughout his life he relentlessly pursued mineral development and advocated for the small hard rock miner in New Mexico and the Southwest. He estimated that he produced thousands of tons of copper, fluoride, barite, lead and zinc, silver, and gold during his lifetime.

He married his wife of 55 years, Mary LeNoir, at San Lorenzo, NM, in 1951.

An avid local historian and a silver tongued story teller, Lou loved entertaining, and "embellishing" tales of treasure, adventure, mining, and growing up in Silver City with his friends. May his wit, enthusiasm, optimism, insatiable curiosity, boundless affection, and constant good nature continue to inspire those who walk his trails.

Mr. Osmer is survived by his daughters, Mary Louise Osmer and Diana Bender (George), his foster son Bud Jahn; daughter in law Janita Osmer; his five grandchildren Eva Marie Levi, Lalanya Frese, Louis L. Osmer IV (Monty), Jessie Bender, and Meagan Dow; and three great grandchildren Ailey Osmer, Owen Levi, and Summer Gundy, and his faithful supporter Margaret Bender.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary LeNoir Osmer, his son Louis L. Osmer II (Igy), his brother David Osmer, and his parents.

An informal celebration of life service will be held Sunday, April 15, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Burro Mountains Homestead.

Mr. Osmer’s cremains will be interred by family at a later time. Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the one’s you love" ~ 537-0777.

To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.