James Coburn

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James Coburn, 89, of Garretson, passed peacefully on Monday, Dec 3, 2012, at the home of his eldest son, James M. Coburn in Harrisburg, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 7, 2012, at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. Visitation will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Thursday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson, and will resume at 6:00 P.M. at the church with a Rosary at 6:30 P.M. and a Wake Service at 7:00 P.M.

James Howard Coburn was born December 23, 1922 in rural Rodman, Iowa to P. M. and Neva (Graham) Coburn. He was the second of five children. They moved to several different residences near the Madison SD area. After graduation from Eastern High School, he met the love of his life, May Rose Meehan. They were married in September 1943 at St Thomas Catholic Church in Madison. They farmed near Madison until 1952 and then James moved his family to Garretson SD and bought John’s Oil Company which then became Palisade’s Oil Co. He worked there into his late 80s and never officially retired.

James was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. He was a volunteer fireman, member of the Commercial Club, school bus driver, and owner-operator of Jesse James Bowling Lanes. He was an entrepreneur and was always looking for new challenges to pursue. In later years he derived great pleasure from watching his grandchildren and great grand children participate in ATV racing, football, basketball, baseball, and any other sports or extracurricular programs in which they were involved. His leisure time was consumed by family related activities. He also enjoyed his morning sessions at Palisade’s Oil coffee shop in which he and friends solved all the political and pressing social issues of the day.

He will remain in the hearts and minds of his children James (Nancy) Coburn of Harrisburg, Mary (Dr Ed) Clark of Sioux Falls, Rosie (Loren) Petersen of Sioux Falls , and Tom (Julie) Coburn of Garretson, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grand children, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, sisters Margaret Dick of Madison and Jo Bloomquist of Sumner, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years May Rose, brother Virgil, sister Margie Gabrielson, grand-daughter Maria Miller, son-in-law Loren Petersen, 6 brothers-in-law, and 2 sisters-in-law.