Former city official, longtime community activist James Woodburn Sr. dies at 90
James Donald Woodburn Sr., who worked for the city of Burbank for more than 30 years and was involved in the community, died Jan. 5 at his home in Burbank. He was 90 years old.
Woodburn was born in Colfax, Wash., to James G. Woodburn and Delma Donald Woodburn. However, he called Madison, Wis., his childhood home.
Woodburn graduated in 1947 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was also a member of Beta Theta Pi.
He moved to California in 1950 and spent 34 years with the city of Burbank, where he worked in many engineering and management roles within the Public Service Department, including chief engineer from 1951-85.
Woodburn continued his professional education and graduated in 1972 with a master’s degree in public health administration from USC. He was involved in many organizations including the Burbank YMCA and the Masonic Lodge, including past president of the High Twelve Burbank chapter in 1962.
He served on the boards of directors of Wesley Homes, the Burbank Board of Realtors and the Burbank Sister City Committee. He received the Rotary Club Cunningham Award for service to the community after 40 years as a Burbank Rotarian and president of Rotary 1974-75.
He also served as treasurer of the Retired Public Employee Assn., chairman of Los Angeles branch of ASME in 1974-1975 and a past president of the Burbank Historical Society.
Woodburn and his wife, Merle, were sent to Otta, Japan, as representatives of the city of Burbank, which was one of many global adventures he enjoyed during his life.
In addition to his work for Burbank and the local community, Woodburn was involved in historical preservation, including Woodburn and Donald family legacy. He was a longtime contributor and member of the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society, as well as a donor to the UW-Madison School of Engineering, the Woodburn Guild at Indiana University and the Donald Farm Foundation.
Survivors include his two sons, Dr. James Donald Woodburn Jr. and William Scott Woodburn; stepdaughters Cynthia Holm, Deborah Sandberg, Linda Larsen and Marie Hrach; 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wives Donna D. Woodburn, Barbara Woodburn and Merle L. Woodburn and his daughter, Margaret Woodburn Sage.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Olive Ave., Burbank
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in James Woodburn’s name to any of the organizations he served or colleges he attended.
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Mark Kellam, mark.kellam@latimes.com
Twitter: @LAMarkKellam
