Longtime Steamboat resident James Burr Osbourn passed away surrounded by his family on Nov. 18, 2025. Jim was born in New Haven, CT to Elizabeth and Cleon Scott "Pat" Osbourn on Jan.18,1928..His family moved to New York City when he was eight years old. His parents instilled in him a strong work ethic, adventure, curiosity, academic excellence, a passion for sports, and a deep abiding loyalty for family and friends. These traits served him well throughout his life. Jim spoke fondly of growing up in NYC where he attended Horace Mann High School. During the summers he worked long hours on his cousin's farm in West Virginia. He received a Naval ROTC scholarship and attended Yale University earning a BA in economics (and later earned a graduate degree at Rutgers Stonier Graduate School of Banking). While at Yale, he continued to push himself academically and physically rowing on Yale's crew  team, briefly playing football (his admitted weakest sport) and excelling at basketball. His junior year he helped lead his team to the NCAA playoffs and his senior year was selected to the Eastern League All-Star Basketball Team.

Upon graduation, as a commissioned Naval Officer, he served on submarines and the USS Oriskany. While serving in the Navy, he was selected to play basketball to entertain the troops. It was there he was recruited by the Minneapolis Lakers. He declined the Lakers invitation. At the conclusion of his military service, he began working for Central Bank in Denver and played basketball for their team The Central Bankers. Settling in Denver, he moved into a duplex with three young men eager to start their careers, Luckily, the young men moved next door to four young adventurous women that were also beginning their careers. Among them was Barbara Turner, a lovely, witty, young flight attendant from Lincoln, Nebraska. These lovebirds had an adventurous and loving 66 year marriage. They moved to Lakewood, CO and lived across the street from Barb's sister Jan and Cecil Walker. The two families raised their children together and had years of travel and adventure. While working for Central Bank, Jim secured loans for many Steamboat businesses. It was a source of professional pride that he could help hardworking visionaries achieve their dreams. He and Barb fell in love with the Yampa Valley and they decided to purchase land in Steamboat. A skilled carpenter and builder, Jim, Barb, his young children and friends worked together to build a home among the pines and aspens of their property . Since 1969, that home remains a gathering place for their family and friends. For his children, it will always be the place where their dad taught them how to build a home, ski, gather with family and follow their dreams. Jim is survived by his wife Barbara and their three children, James B. Jr. (Ginny) and children Annie, and James B. III, son Matthew N. and his sons Samuel and Maxwell, and daughter Katherine J.Field (John) and their children Michael, Elizabeth, and Andrew (Annalise) and son Henry - Barb and Jim's first great-grandchild.

Jim and Barb taught their children and grandchildren to ski and play golf. Jim continued these pursuits with his family into his nineties. At nearly 98 years old, he remained sharp and engaged. He loved nothing more than hearing about the adventures of his beloved children and grandchildren. In his later years, he courageously met every health challenge with optimism and determination. His laughter, wisdom and youthful curiosity were greatly admired and will be dearly missed. Humble about his own accomplishments, Jim did not want a funeral service or celebration of life gathering. Instead, please consider donating to your favorite charity or Northwest Colorado Health Hospice Care who offered compassionate care to Jim, and skilled guidance to his family during his final days.