James “Jim” Andrew Owens, 57, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Monday, August 23, 2021, at East Georgia Medical Center in Statesboro, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Ocilla United Methodist Church in Ocilla, Georgia, with the Rev. Jay Roberson officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary.
Mr. Owens was born March 21, 1964, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Richard Chapman “Dick” Owens, Sr. and the late Martha Louise Fuller Owens. He was a 1982 graduate of Irwin County High School and earned a Bachelors degree in outdoor recreation from Georgia Southern. While at Southern, he fell in love with rugby and played with the college squad. After graduating, he played with the Atlanta Renegades and toured Europe on the rugby circuit. He was known as Zeus on the pitch. He loved the game and was an avid player and coach as well. He remained active with the Renegade Old Boys and the Georgia Southern Exiles. He was a member of Ocilla United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Carol Strickland Owens of Ocilla; a son, James A. “Jimmy” Owens, Jr. of Savannah; a daughter, Kathryn Montgomery of Savannah; a brother, Richard C. Owens, Jr. of Athens; and a sister, Frances Gary Owens of Tifton.
Due to COVID-19, all guests and attendees are requested to wear appropriate medical grade facemasks and to maintain social distancing at all times.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials, may send them to the Ocilla United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 61, Ocilla, Georgia, 31774.