Leo Clifton “Bud” Cosgrove of Spiro, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025, at 88 years old.
Bud is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Patsy (Corley); his daughter, Tawnya Akins and husband Marty; granddaughter, Melanie Brunk and husband Robert; and great-grandchildren, Georgia and Jameson Brunk.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Cassie Cosgrove; his birth mother, Lota Ola (Carter) Cosgrove; his brothers, Scott and Gene Cosgrove; and beloved grandson, Darren Akins.
He was born in Spiro, Oklahoma, on October 28, 1936. In 1951, he moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico, with his family. On a visit back to Spiro, he met his wife, Patsy, at a basketball game. They married in 1959 and had Tawnya in Carlsbad, eventually moving their family back to Spiro in 1964.
Bud had many professions throughout his life. He joined the Air Force after high school and served in Korea, worked in the potash mines in Carlsbad, New Mexico, became a barber and cut hair at Fort Chaffee and at his barbershop with his brother-in-law, Dale Stout, in Spiro, worked with a land surveyor, worked as a carpenter, decided to become a lineman for OG&E at age 40, then went back to cutting hair after retirement, where he was well known for his flat tops.
He was an amateur boxer and trained many local young men at the Spiro Boxing Club in his free time. This created many lasting connections between him and his “boxing boys” that he carried with him throughout his life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, walking at Spiro Lake, carpentry, doing his daily 100 pushups, ice cream, and reading a good western. He was a lifetime member of the Spiro Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star Chapter. Bud had a quick wit and a playful spirit, always ready with a good-natured tease. He had a way of making everyone laugh, whether it was through his legendary tall tales, a well-timed joke, or his favorite catchphrases like “a dollar waiting on a dime” and “you can get glad in the same pants you got mad in.”
Bud was a proud member and deacon at Spiro First Assembly of God for many years. He always had a pocket full of Dum Dums, and over the years, thousands of suckers were passed down the pews to children during church. Bud lived his life with a steadfast faith that never wavered. His trust in God’s grace was evident in the way he loved, served, and encouraged others. While we will miss him dearly, we take comfort in knowing he is now at home with the Lord.
Pallbearers will be; David Kerns, Brian McKinney, Sherman Cox, Luke Stiles, Dewayne Leonard, Jeremy Harrison. Honorary Pallbearers; Former OG&E coworkers and Former Spiro Boxing Club boys.
You may leave an online message at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com.
Get Local News!
