Jesse Joseph Osborn

Jesse was a Colorado native. He graduated from Manzanola High School and attended Fresno State College, where he lettered in football. He married Eleanor Edgar in 1938 and together; they raised their 3 children. He farmed and ranched in the Arkansas Valley for 28 years before managing the Busk Ivanhoe Water Diversion Project until retirement in 1984.

He served as president of the Rocky Ford museum board and, with Eleanor, was a member of the Rocky Ford Archeology Club. In addition, he served on the Vroman School board and is a life member of the Rocky Ford Elks Club. He was a member of the Rocky Ford Lions Club. An ardent collect of Native American artifacts and antique guns, he enjoyed fishing and gardening. He grew an acre of pumpkins each year and Eleanor and he hosted a pumpkin party on their farm near Hygiene for family, church and neighbors to pick their own pumpkins and enjoy a wiener roast around a bonfire.

He LOVED to sing.

In celebration of his 90th birthday, Jesse skydived for the first time, with his wife, Eleanor and his children, grand-children and great-grandchildren cheering him on! He had such a great time, he did it again at age 93!

Jesse and his beloved Eleanor were married for 74 years before she died in September of 2010. During their marriage, they survived the death of a son, Jess David, the depression, World War II, the devastating 1955 Arkansas Valley flood, and a multitude of changes from the Model T to the internet. He spent his last years at Hover Manor with his cat, Bummy, surrounded by many dear friends.

Jesse is survived by son Dan and his wife, Carol, of Westminster, and daughters Diana Cinnamon of Longmont and Connie and husband, Mike Dollaghan, of Hygiene; grandchildren David Osborn and wife, Alison; Becky Hopkins and husband, Ed; Lisa McAvoy and husband, Joe; Dana George and husband, Herb; Melissa Plescia and husband, George; Josh Dollaghan; Jessica Shockley; Pat Dollaghan and wife, Meradith; and great grand children Kayla, Cassie and Shannon Osborn; Tanner McAvoy; Ryan and Elle George; Tessa Plescia; Kate Shockley; and Ronan and Gwyneth Dollaghan.

Services for Jesse will be held at 11:00 on Saturday morning, April 6, at the Hygiene United Methodist Church, 7542 Hygiene Road, Hygiene, Colorado. Visitation will be Friday, April 5, from 4 till 7 pm, at Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, Colorado.

For those wishing to honor Jesse’s life, you may make a donation to the Hygiene United Methodist Church at 7542 Hygiene Road, Hygiene, Colorado 80503 or the Longmont Humane Society at 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, Colorado 80501, longmonthumane.org.