Richard Chapman “Dick” Owens, Sr., 89, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Maple Court Assisted Living in Tifton, Georgia.
Memorial services will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at the Ocilla United Methodist Church in Ocilla, with the Rev. Jay Roberson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mr. Owens was born March 12, 1927, in Palm Beach, Florida, to the late James Marion and Willa Bazemore Owens. He served in the United States Army during WWII and graduated from Emory University in 1950 where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He received his Master’s degree in education from the University of Florida. He taught 7th grade social studies in Palm Beach, Florida and in 1953 he moved to Ocilla. Mr. Owens managed the A. T. Fuller Lumber Company for over 30 years. He served on the Irwin County Board of Education for many years, was chairman of the Georgia State School Board and served as President of the National Association of School Boards of Education. He was also a member of the Ocilla Rotary Club and the Ocilla United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his children: Richard C. Owens, Jr. of Lexington, Frances Gary Owens of Tifton and James “Jim” Andrew Owens & his wife: Carol of Ocilla; grandchildren: Spc James A. “Jimmy” Owens, Jr. United States Army, Fort Stewart and Kathryn Montgomery of Pooler and one sister: Harriet O. McIntosh of Lakeland, Florida. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: James Marion Owens, Jr. and William “Bill” Emmons Owens.