JAMES OSBORNE Sr.

James Gilbert Osborne was born on March 22, 1932, in Kenton County, KY, to Robert W. Osborne and Anna Mae (Miller). James graduated from Dixie Heights High School in 1949. James played the clarinet in his high school band. One day after graduating high school, he was walking down the roads of Buttermilk Pike, and ran into his father who was driving by. When asked where he was going, Jim told his dad, "I just enlisted in the United States Air Force." He did his basic training in San Antonio, TX. He served three years in the Air Force and was honorably discharged after achieving a rank of Staff Sergeant. It was during a stint in Merced, CA that he and a friend hitchhiked to Fresno, CA, to meet with his buddy's girlfriend and a blind date for Jim. His date's name was Evelynn Helen Haar. After a night of dancing at the Rainbow Ballroom, a relationship blossomed. Correspondence and a bus trip to Topeka, KS where Dad was stationed, turned in to love letters from Fresno to his next stop in Puerto Rico. Upon the completion of his service, Jim returned home to Kentucky at Christmas time in 1952, to visit with his family. That New Year's Eve he called Evelynn and told her to come pick him up at Fresno Air Terminal. From there they went to see a movie, Stars and Stripes Forever, during which Jim slipped a ring on Evelynn's finger. A wedding took place that very January 31, of 1953. Jim and Evelynn moved in to an apartment on O Street by the water tower. Dad enrolled at Fresno State College, with a GI Bill to pay for tuition. He discovered that he excelled in the sciences and was encouraged to apply to medical school. Dad liked to tell the story that he was not a good student before college and one of his teacher's, Mr. Green, said that he would never amount to much. He was very proud to have proven him wrong. Dad was accepted to the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. In 1957, James Gilbert Osborne Jr. was born, the light of his father's eye and a best friend for Mom during the long hours of medical school. Upon completion of medical school, Dad took a position with a general practice group in San Diego, CA, at San Diego County Hospital. The family grew in San Diego with the birth of Lori Ann, and a year later, Thomas Eric. Then, Dad decided to specialize in psychiatry. Another move ensued. He received his board certification in psychiatry from the Rollman Institute near the University of Cincinnati in 1965. A psychiatry position became available back in California, so, once again, the family packed up and moved to Altadena, CA, where Dad specialized in child psychiatry. In 1969, the family was blessed with one more sibling, Lynette Suzanne. The family was complete and many years of fun, frolic, vacations, pets and friends played out. In 1970, Dad took the family on one last move to Whittier, CA, where he practiced adult psychiatry for 25 years. During that time he also joined the staff of the University of Southern California and taught medical students and residents part time. He served as President of Presbyterian Hospital Medical Staff and member of the foundation board. In Whittier, he also became very involved with the Lions Club, volunteering his time with White Cane Days and the Arabian horse shows. Through the Lion's Club, Jim and Evelynn enjoyed travels to the Orient and Hawaii. During this time, Dad decided to join the Air Force Reserve and was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel. He used to say that one of the most exciting times was when he was able to fly in the tail of a KC-10 refueling tanker at March Air Force Base. As his children got older, they began moving on in jobs and marriages that coincidentally took all of them to Fresno, CA. As Jim Jr. and Lori began having grandbabies, Jim and Evelynn decided they wanted to also return to Fresno, where it all began. Dad joined a private practice psychiatry group in Fresno, and worked at was then Fresno Community Hospital. He also worked at the Fresno VA and taught medical students and residents through University of California, San Francisco. He retired about 15 years ago. In his leisure time, Dad spent many hours in his yard and gardens. This and working jigsaw puzzles was his therapy. Dad began his decent into dementia about three years ago. He spent his last two years in and out of the hospital, at rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities, finally ending up at Sunrise of Fresno, where he was well taken care of in Reminiscence. Mom was by his side every single day. Dad celebrated his 85th birthday here on Earth on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, and went to meet the Lord in the early hours of March 23, 2017. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Anna; and brother, Robert Jr. "Bud". He is survived by Evelynn, his loving wife of 64 years; his children, Dr. James Osborne Jr. and wife Gina, Lori and husband Dr. George Bertolucci, Thomas and girlfriend Kerri, and Dr. Lynette Cole and husband Simon. The joys of his life, his grandchildren, Cameron and Allyson Osborne and Jillian and Natalie Bertolucci will miss him greatly. The family would like to thank his second family of wonderful caregivers, his "baby girls" at Sunrise. A private family Burial was held at Mountain View Cemetery on Saturday, March 25, 2017. A Memorial Celebration will be held at the Chefs Table at the Elbow Room, 731 W San Jose Ave., Fresno, CA 93704, on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made to: UCSF -Fresno Alzheimer's and Memory Center, 6137 N. Thesta Ave., Suite 101B, Fresno, CA 93710 Stephens & Bean Chapel, 202 North Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California (559)268-9292