James E. Owens

James Erskel Owens was born April 4, 1930, to William Alford and Pashia Belle Owens. Jim was the youngest of his family and was raised in the Gentry area. He loved the communities of Seymour and Diggins where he lived on his farms and enjoyed neighbors and friends.

He married Ida Louise Owens on February 14, 1949, and they always said God gave them just what they wanted, two boys and two girls. They celebrated almost 63 years together before her passing in 2011.

Jim made a personal profession of faith in Jesus and enjoyed church, especially singing old hymns and visiting with everyone. He loved drinking coffee with neighbors, and his favorite times were with family, especially all his “dandy” grandchildren who called him the “fun” grandpa.

He was grateful to God for a career as an iron worker foreman, and would often tell stories of the many roads and bridges he helped build in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. He enjoyed farming too, but his greatest accomplishment, according to him, was raising his family with Louise.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, son Steve, three brothers, Orville Owens (Emma), Edgar Owens (Mildred), and Gene Owens (Loretta), five sisters, Victoria Taylor (Thurman), Rosie Langley (Robert), Dorothy Cook (Eli), Anna Mattison (Bertis) and Ida Dickson (Robert), in-laws, Dale Cornelison (Ruth), Denzil Cornelison (Darlene), Lois Ipock (Ernest), and Robert Spain.

He is survived by daughter-in-law, April Owens (Steve) of Seymour, son, Gary Owens (Kelly) of Caplinger Mills, daughters, Debbie Owens (Robert) of Diggins, and Melissa Swearengin (Randy), of Saddlebrooke; grandchildren Megan Bradley (Devon), Miranda Crighton (Justin), Alex Owens, Jennifer Warren (John), Heidi Young (Chris), Melanie McFarland (Keith), Jamie Gadberry (Bill), Heather Helms, Pashia Rasmussen (John), and Paige Williford (Josiah), numerous great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim will always be remembered, loved, and missed for his friendly and outgoing personality, hard work, and commitment to his family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Haven Hospice in care of the funeral home.

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