James Clyde Osborn

James (Jim) Clyde Osborn, 80, transitioned to Eternal Life, promised to him by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 26, 2026.

Jim was born on August 2, 1946, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Clyde and Fern (Clough) Osborn. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta. He was raised in Augusta and graduated in 1964 from Augusta High School. He received many sports accolades and set many football passing records as a quarterback.

After graduating high school in 1964, Jim was recruited to play football at the University of Wisconsin Superior. He was the starting quarterback all four years, again with many accolades. He was also on the basketball team for two years. In July 2001, he was inducted into UW Superior's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jim graduated from UW-Superior in 1968 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and immediately signed a Bonus Contract to play quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League.

He returned to Wisconsin and married Lynda Shefchik on August 17, 1968 at St. Anthony's in Augusta. They moved to Kewaskum, Wisconsin, where Jim taught Physical Education and coached high school football. It was there that their first son, Cary, was born on May 7, 1969.

Jim moved his family back home to Augusta for the 1969-1970 school year. He taught Physical Education and coached football, baseball, and basketball. His 1972 football team was undefeated and averaged 45 points per game, ranking them the #1 Small School in the State. Jim finished 4th in the "Coach of the Year" voting. During that time, he and his good friend Bob Miller owned and operated the local A&W Rootbeer Stand. In 1978, Jim resigned from teaching and joined New York Life as a sales agent for the next 22 years.

On March 16, 1986, Jim and Lynda had their second son, Scotty. They moved to the Erhardt Peuse farm near Fall Creek in April of 1988 where they lived for 35 years before moving to Altoona.

Jim worked for two other insurance agencies before retiring in September of 2011. Before and after that, he spent most of his time watching his sons and grandsons play sports in high school and college. He never missed a game. He also enjoyed over 60 years of whitetail deer hunting with his family and friends. He had many stories that brought out so many laughs.

Jim is survived by his wife Lynda (married for 58 years); son Scotty (Bridget) Osborn; grandsons Cody Osborn, Cade Osborn, Lance Osborn and Edison Osborn; sisters Sonya Tourville, Barb Tobish, Kristi (Brad) Kelly; brother Richard Osborn.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved son, Cary Osborn and his parents.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to St. Croix Hospice, especially Heather and Niki, for their exceptional care, kindness, love and support they gave to us during Jim's extended stay at home.

The memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1812 Lynn Ave, in Altoona on Wednesday, September 9th. Visitation will start at 9:30am with the service at 11:00am. There will be a luncheon to follow at the Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Home, 535 S Hillcrest Pkwy in Altoona. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you donate to your favorite Christian Charity.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.