James Colburn - Obituary

ames B. Colburn, Jr., 92, of Ft. Lauderdale, passed away April 5, 2013. James was born in Annapolis, attended Annapolis High School and Tri-State University School of Engineering. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII reaching the rank of sergeant earning 6 medals with 5 battle stars. After the war he owned Colburn Construction Company. Mr. Colburn was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis and St. Jerome Church in Ft. Lauderdale. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, V.F.W. and was deputy flotilla commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. His hobbies included boating, traveling the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway from Cape Cod to Florida, trips to the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas and the Gulf of Mexico. He also enjoyed hunting on the rivers of the Chesapeake and sailing in regattas. He also traveled to Europe twice a year. Mr. Colburn sponsored foster children with the Christian Children’s Fund of Richmond, VA, from the 1950’s to date. Food for the Poor in Haiti received constant support and sponsorship from James through the food bank and new home construction. He was also a contributor to the Benedictine School for Exceptional Children in Ridgely, where he furnished aid for the enclosing of their swimming pool, contributed their first school bus and many other items. He was also a member of the First Board of Directors of Providence Center, furnishing a house when space was critical. One of his most interesting supports was the organization Operation Smile, who corrects deformed and cleft palates of children throughout the world. James is survived by his longtime companion, Joan Normann; son, Joseph Colburn both of Ft. Lauderdale and niece Linda Gambone. He was preceded in death by his brother, George F. Colburn and sister, Agnes Clark. A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, April 11 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Annapolis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: The St. Jerome Science Lab Building Fund. 2601 SW 9th Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315.