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Jimmy Osburn (10-22-12) service 11-4-12

 

Jimmie Osburn

Our beloved Jimmie Ralph Osburn died Monday, Oct. 22, at 83 years of age. We will always remember him as an adventurer, philosopher, samaritan, husband, father, and most importantly, as a man who truly loved life.

Jim was born Oct. 14, 1929, in Blytheville, Ark., to Arthur and Dolores Osburn. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he received his Master of Education degree from Memphis State University in 1956. Jim’s careers, first in the U.S. Post Office and later as a Foreign Service Officer, allowed him and his wife Margaret to live in Memphis, Atlanta, Ga., and Silver Spring, Md. His career also led him to overseas assignments in Panama, Jordan and Costa Rica. Jim traveled extensively through Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East, eventually to retire to Savannah in 1986.

Jim had a lifelong love of theater and drama as an actor, musician, director, and playwright. He was frequently involved in productions at the Ancon and Surfside Theaters in Panama and co-founded the Dreamweavers community theater in Savannah. He produced such classics as Harvey, Music Man, Paint Your Wagon, and many others. Jim moved to Sun City, Ariz., in 2004 where he became a frequent contributor to the opinion section of the Daily News-Sun, and an avid member of the GROWLL and Socrates discussion groups.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, to whom he was married 64 years; their five children, Jenny Dickason, Carie Osburn, Judy Osburn, Tim Osburn and Connie Calvin; sons-in-law, Randy Dickason and Josh Calvin, and grandchildren, Cassie Collins, Amber Price, Andrew Calvin, Matthew Winter, Robin Dickason, Phillip Calvin, Jill Osburn, Nicole Winter, Savannah Tonn, and Charlotte Calvin.

The family is hosting a celebration of his life on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m., at the West Valley Center, 9745 West Peoria Ave., Peoria, Ariz. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Eve’s Treasures Thrift Store, 10765 West Peoria, Sun City, Ariz. 85351 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix Ariz. 85014-5656.

The family would love to hear your memories of Jim; please visit www.jimmieosburn.blogspot.com and share your stories in the comments section.

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