LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock philanthropist Jennings Osborne, whose losing battle with neighbors over his 3.2 million-light Christmas display reached the nation's highest court, died Wednesday. He was 67.
Osborne family spokesman David Bazzel said Osborne died from a heart ailment about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Baptist Health hospital in Little Rock.
Osborne, who became wealthy running a medical research company, supplied pork dinners for many public gatherings and rubbed shoulders with state and national politicians, but his Christmas lights put him on the map — quite literally, as they were visible from the air from miles away.
Decorations erected to humor his daughter grew from a relatively modest display in 1986 to one in 1993 that held 3.2 million lights. Thousands flocked nightly to Osborne's home on already-busy Cantrell Road, snarling traffic and angering neighbors who eventually sued.
The state's highest court declared the display a nuisance and ordered Osborne to take the lights down. Osborne asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that doing so would diminish his religious right to celebrate Christmas as he wished. Justices rejected his appeal, and the state Supreme Court ruling stuck.
Undaunted, Osborne strung his lights in Little Rock's downtown River Market District and in dozens of other Arkansas cities. He went on to provide light displays for Disney World and Graceland.
Osborne sold for a pittance tremendous pork and chicken dinners to fans before Arkansas Razorbacks football games and sponsored fireworks shows in Little Rock.
In a 1998 interview with The Associated Press, Osborne called his unusual charitable acts "vehicles for happiness."
"Every day is Christmas to me. I feel like I am on a fantasy trip, and I like to take people along," Osborne said.
Despite Osborne's business success, people who knew him reacted to his death by recalling how he played, not how he worked.
Former President Bill Clinton praised Osborne's living for others.
"Jennings had a big heart and gave so much to so many people throughout his extraordinary life," Clinton said in a statement. "From personally providing holiday cheer through his light shows to helping families get back on their feet after natural disasters, Jennings' capacity to give was truly awe-inspiring."
And Breezy Osborne said the celebration of her father's life will continue in the next life.
"My father was an amazing man who all my life showed what a big heart he had for everyone, young and old and regardless of background or wealth," she said. "Sadly my father's big heart finally gave out. But knowing my 'Dadoo,' there will be fireworks at the gates of heaven."
Osborne counted former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former President Bill Clinton and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton among his friends. Former President Jimmy Carter attended Breezy Osborne's wedding.
Gov. Mike Beebe noted Osborne also worked to help people in need.
"Arkansas has lost one of our highest-profile philanthropists," Beebe said. "He brought comfort and entertainment to countless people, whether feeding disaster victims, donating fireworks, throwing unparalleled tailgate parties or lighting up Disney World. While a larger-than-life public figure, Jennings was also a kind and soft-spoken man, who always shared his financial success with others."
Osborne was a longtime supporter of Huckabee, paying for the remodeling of his office at the State Capitol and backing his candidacy for president in 2008. He also donated money to then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign.
Huckabee released a statement saying Osborne was known for his "extravagance," but also for his encouragement that others perform random acts of kindness. Osborne put up billboards with that message.
"I often said that Jennings was like a little boy who never had candy, but who one day bought the candy store — and found his greatest joy in giving candy to kids who were like he once was and couldn't afford it," Huckabee said. "He had the biggest heart in the world. He used it mostly for others. It finally gave out."
Osborne also cooked for former President George W. Bush during Bush's visits to Arkansas. His 11 cookers, each weighing 4,100 pounds, could cook 6,000 pounds of meat at a time.
"He got more joy in doing a barbecue for people and doing it for free," Bazzel said. "His deal was anything that could bring joy and create a memory. He was unique in that sense."
Though a vocal supporter of Bush, Osborne cultivated friendships with Republicans and Democrats alike. One of the biggest beneficiaries of his giving was Huckabee, who received $53,382 in gifts from Osborne in 1999. The gifts included clothing, roses for former first lady Janet Huckabee and $11,700 for once-a-week pastries sent for workers at the governor's office and the mansion.
Osborne also gave former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker a $5,000 laptop computer after Tucker was sentenced to home detention "to help him entertain himself."
Tucker, a Democrat, was convicted in 1996 of two felonies in a Whitewater-related trial and sentenced to four years of probation, including 18 months of home detention. He was ordered to pay $290,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine.
"Nobody could have been as low as Jim Guy when he was sentenced to home detention," Osborne said at the time. "I just felt sorry for him."
Osborne was a backer of Bill Clinton's presidential library in downtown Little Rock, and his famous barbecues were often part of any major event surrounding the library's construction and opening.
Osborne showed his support for Bush at his home with an illuminated flag display. But he had to retire the giant ornament because vandals kept cutting the wires.
Osborne is survived by his wife and daughter. Funeral arrangements were pending.
Associated Press writer Andrew DeMillo contributed to this story.