James was born on June 27, 1934 in Chandler, Oklahoma to Isaac Denton and Sadie Lucille Osborn.
James went to high school in Wellston, Oklahoma, but did not graduate due to enlisting in the United States Army at the age of 16. Korea conflict broke out and his sergeant sent home for birth certificates, which revealed he was underage. He wasn’t allowed to finish his Army service. Then at 18 years old, he signed up for the United States Navy and served 4 years. Later he received his honorary high school diploma from the Wellston School District- for serving his country in a time of war.
After returning to the United States, James began working as a welder for Oklahoma Natural Gas, where he worked for 35 years.
James married the love of his life, Anne Marie (Willson) Osborn on New Year’s Eve of 1959 in Wellston, Oklahoma.
After the couple wed, they moved to Stroud, Oklahoma. The two then moved to Moore, Oklahoma where they would remain for 51 years.
James enjoyed coaching girls’ softball, he loved animals, and dancing the Jitterbug, Waltz, and 2-Step- which earned him the name “Crazy Legs”. James was a family man, he was witty and he was always smiling.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Sadie, and his step-mother Oleta Osborn, his siblings: Denton, Vivian, June, Janis, Noel, Herbert, and Beula Mae.
Left to cherish his precious memory is his wife of over 60 years, Anne Marie Osborn, two sisters: Lenora Forwardson and Carol Sue Helton, his children: Jamie and her husband Glen Clark, Mike Osborn, and Elizabeth and her husband Steve Perdue, his grandchildren: Jessica Anne, Jerri Susanah, Amber Lynne, and Justin Deshane, his great-grandchildren: Makayla Anne, Brooklynne Skye, Payton Alexis, and Zaiden Keith, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
