JAMES RENNIE OSBORN

James Rennie Osborn passed away at home surrounded by his wife and daughters on January 8, 2025. He was 92 years old. Affectionately known as “Jimbo”, “Dr. O”, “Osborn” and “Papaw”, he will be remembered for his kindness, insatiable curiosity, love for reading and words, and, by a few of his closest friends, for his temper on the golf course.

 Jim was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 16, 1932, to Veneta and James Barlow and was later adopted by George Robert Osborn. He graduated from Tulsa Central High School and attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. There, Jim played on the college golf team, graduated cum laude and was recognized for outstanding work in physics.

Dreams of becoming a professional golfer dashed, Jim attended UCLA with initial plans to complete a PhD and become a research scientist. Those plans changed, however, as Jim believed he was “raised to be a doctor”. As it turns out, he was right. Jim graduated from UCLA’s medical school with honors and received several prestigious awards.

Jim completed his formal medical training in the US Army at Walter Reed and Brooke Medical Centers, advancing quickly through the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel. After resigning his commission in 1970, he came to Fort Worth to join Dr. Robert Capper in the practice of cardiology and became one of the founding members of Consultants in Cardiology. He practiced primarily at Texas Health Resources (THR), formerly Harris Hospital, and served as both Chief of Cardiology and Chief of Staff. Known by colleagues for his intelligence, his compassion for his patients, and his great technical skills, Jim was considered by many to be one of the best cardiologists in Fort Worth.

In 1994, after twenty-five years, Jim ended his career as a practicing cardiologist and began working for THR where he held administrative roles including Vice President of Medical Affairs and Director of Physician Relations until his retirement in 2019.

Beyond his commitment to his professional work, Jim’s life was focused on golf, skiing, reading, friends, and family. He was married to his beloved wife, Connie, for almost fifty years. Together, they and a group of close physician friends and their spouses formed the “Wine Club” and spent over 40 years together traveling, eating, and making mischief. Jim treasured his 6 am “Breakfast Club” meetings at Paris Coffee Shop, lunch group meet-ups at McAlister’s, and weekly golf outings and annual ski trips with “the guys”. He was never without a book, and was a student of life and people.

Jim found joy in spending time with and celebrating the accomplishments of his six children and eight grandchildren. Easter weekend, with brunch at Shady Oaks and a family egg hunt, was a much-anticipated family tradition for many years. Jim enjoyed spirited family discussions and a competitive game of Bocce or ping pong. An animated bard and uniquely knowledgeable about the world around him, he shared his love of reading, music, and history with his children and grandchildren.

Jim maintained his faith throughout his life and he and Connie were long-time members of Saint Stephen Presbyterian Church.

He will be lovingly remembered for his kindness and generosity, drive for excellence in all things, his storytelling and diplomacy with words, his loud and infectious laugh (and even louder sneeze), and the extraordinary amount of time he could spend wandering a museum.

The family would like to thank Jim’s caregivers, Elizabeth Jimenez and Liz Muñoz, and Gale Wilkins of Community Hospice for their compassionate care.

Jim is survived by his wife, Connie, and his six children Duane Osborn and wife, Holly; Laura Peveto Fontenot and husband, Dennis; Jamie Osborn and wife, Tara; Julie Cook; Melissa Osborn; and Kimberly Nieves and husband, Ed. He is “Papaw” to eight grandchildren, Sydney Rafoth, Madison Fontenot, Allison Cook, Everest and Summit Osborn, and EJ, Mia and George Nieves.

A Service in Witness to the Resurrection followed by a reception will be held on January 23, 2025, at 3 pm at Saint Stephen Presbyterian Church.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s memory to Saint Stephen Presbyterian Church, 2700 McPherson Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76109.