Half

Obituary for KOBURI


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Thursday May 08, 2008

James Koburi of Grove, Oklahoma died at 1:45 a.m., Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Integris Grove General Hospital in Grove. He was 78. Mr. Koburi was born July 15, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois to James and Aida (Colletti) Koburi, Sr. He grew up and attended schools in Chicago, Illinois. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. On July 18, 1964, he married Deanna B. (Skipp) Fincher in Chicago. They retired to the Grove area in 2006 from Albuquerque, New Mexico. While in Albuquerque, Mr. Koburi owned and operated United Transmission for 20 years. Mr. Koburi served as president of the Italian-American Club in Albuquerque. Mr. Koburi was currently a member of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Deanna Koburi, of Grove; four children, Victoria Smith of Elgin, IL, James Koburi, Jr. of Missoula, MT, Steven Koburi of Albuquerque, NM, and John Koburi of Santa Fe, NM; three step-children, Michael Fincher of Rogers, AR, Randy Fincher of East Grand Forks, MN, and Sheryl Fincher-McGill of Broken Arrow, OK; one brother, Charles "Chuck" Koburi of Jensen Beach, FL; many grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Mr. Koburi was preceded in death by one grandson, Kendrick Fincher; and one brother, Paul Koburi. There will be a Funeral Mass for James Koburi at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, May 9, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Parish in Grove with Father Alex Kennedy officiating. Friends and family may leave condolences on line at www.honoringmemories.com. The family suggests memorials to the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation for promoting hydration and prevention of heat illness in memory of Mr. Koburi.