Stephen Osborne Obituary

Durango resident Stephen West Osborne died from injuries suffered in a plane crash Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, near Silverton. He was one month shy of his 60th birthday. His wife, Jan (Measles) Osborne also died in the accident.

Known as "Steve," he was born to Phillip W. and Patricia Osborne on Jan. 18, 1952, in Tenafly, N.J. He grew up with his three brothers in Fox Chapel near Pittsburgh.

"Growing up, Steve loved skiing, canoeing with friends and creating fun with his brothers," his family said. "One winter, he and his brothers built a rope tow, powered by a tractor in the backyard, so that no snow day would be missed."

Mr. Osborne came to Colorado to finish his business degree at the University of Denver, eventually moving to Durango. He founded Junction Creek Construction and built custom homes throughout the area. In December 1985, he founded Building Specialties Store Inc., where he distributed a wide range of building materials and loved working with builders and business owners in the community.

Mr. Osborne was a member of numerous boards, associations, clubs and projects, including High Noon Rotary Club, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 507, the city of Durango Planning Commission and the Durango Homebuilders Association. His family said he was especially honored to be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Colorado's Small Business of the Year in 2000.

On March 26, 2010, he married Jan Measles in Durango. The couple had been together for about nine years.

"Steve and Jan loved to work hard and play hard whenever they had the chance," his family said. "They both loved to be surrounded by friends and family."

Mr. Osborne enjoyed taking trips to the couple's houseboat on Lake Powell, water skiing, scuba diving, country dancing and flying.

Mr. Osborne is survived by his children from a previous marriage, Ashley E. Osborne of Durango and Ryan W. Osborne of Dolores; parents, Phillip and Patricia Osborne, of Longwood at Oakmont, Pa.; brothers David M. Osborne of Littleton, Bruce W. Osborne of Pinehurst, N.C., and Peter A. Osborne, of Naples, N.Y.; and one grandson.

A joint celebration of life for Mr. and Mrs. Osborne will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at Whalen Gymnasium at Fort Lewis College.

Memorial contributions may be made at any Alpine Bank location.