James G. Burba

Bend, Oregon James Griffin Burba (78) died on April 8, 2015 at St Charles Medical Center. He was born November 25, 1936 in McAlester, Oklahoma. He earned a BA from Benedictine Heights College and a MA from the University of Missouri. Jim joined the USAF shortly after graduating college, and served the country as a "Missileer" during his 26 year career. He retired as a Colonel but was extremely proud to be inducted as an honorary Chief Master Sargent at the time of his retirement. Jim was married to Joan Claudia Gill for 58 years. They married in Oklahoma, and moved through the United States on active duty assignments with the growing family of 5 children in tow. Jim and Joan moved to Bend in 1993, happy to have found their own personal paradise. Jims careers after the Air Force included 10 years as an executive with Hughes Space and Communications and 4 years with LionHeart Consulting. After retiring for the third time, he worked for the state court system as a court-connected mediator. Jim was a member of the Association of Air Force Missileers, was active in the Central Oregon chapter of the Military Officers Association (COMOA), and served the Sunriver Music Festival as a development consultant. He was active with Volunteers in Action up to his death. He loved motorhome travel with Joan and dog Maggie, especially exploring and fishing the Oregon coast with close friends. Jim is survived by his wife, Joan of Bend, and his sister, Judy (Dale) Roth of Boise. He was preceded in death by his parents Cranston and Gwendolyn Burba of McAlester, Oklahoma, and his daughter, Karen Bortz. Surviving children are Cheryl (Jack) Reutemann and Lynn (Gregory) Jones of Virginia, and Michael (Marian) Burba, and Robert Burba of California. His thirteen grandchildren are Wendy Furuuchi, James David Bailey, Andrew Bortz, Michael Bortz, Aaron Jones, Amy Jones, Hailey Smith, Galen Smith, Claudia Reutemann, Justin Burba, Trevor Burba, Nick Reutemann, and Joi Morgan. He was also loved by his two nieces Elaine Copperi and Lisa Young. His four great-grandchildren are Devon Furuuchi, Sherriann Furuuchi, Willa Bailey, and Baby girl Bailey. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. at Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home, 105 NW Irvine Avenue in Bend. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made in Jims name to Volunteers in Action, PO Box 7856, Bend, Oregon 97708, or the Humane Society of Central Oregon in Bend. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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James G. Burba

November 25, 1936 - April 8, 2015