James Thomas Bourne

James Thomas Bourne
4/27/1979 - 4/21/2013


James Bourne passed away suddenly after a brief illness on Sunday, April 21, 2013.
James spent most of his almost 34 years in Roseville, Calif. He graduated from Oakmont High School in 1997 as a scholar/athlete, and later attended Sierra College. It was at Oakmont that James was introduced to water polo, a sport in which he should not have excelled. Both taller and heavier than anyone else in the pool, he admitted to being a terrible swimmer. But over the years, he worked hard and became a valuable member of the team (as goalie) that won the CAL Championship in 1996. James' love of the sport continued as he played water polo at Sierra College, and even went on to coach it at Oakmont for two years.
An intelligent and humorous man, James loved spending time with friends and family, and especially with his girlfriend, Michelle Williams. His passions included the art in graphic novels, the world of comedy, movies, and music. James was a born entertainer; always ready to make someone laugh. He wrote poetry, stories, song lyrics, helped out at his parents' theatre, Arden Playhouse, and had a special talent for finding hilariously goofy cards and gifts with which to surprise his mother and others.
James had many plans at the time of his death. After years with Wells Fargo Bank, he started a new career path with Home Depot. He was looking forward to going back to school, and he and Michelle were planning their life together. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Barbara Jeanne Messmer (a teacher at Crestmont Elementary); step-father, Michael Lee Messmer (Arden Playhouse); father, Thomas Allen Bourne; step-mother, Sally Bourne; grandmother, Kay Messmer; step-brother, Matt Messmer; and his uncles and aunts, Lee and Georgia Lulovics, Bill and Holly Bourne, Dave and Diane Bourne; as well as his cousins, Christine, Scott, Carly, Eric and Lindsay. James was predeceased by Gus and Frances Demetry; Knox and Dorothy Bourne; Michael Bourne, Emily Bourne, and Frank Messmer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: James Bourne - OHS Water Polo Program c/o State Farm 414 Vernon Street #100 Roseville, CA 95678. There will be a Celebration of James' Life on May 11, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Arden Playhouse, 5640 Roseville Road, Suite D, Sacramento, CA 95842.