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James Owens

Name: Service
Start: 09/09/2023 02:00 PM
Location: OakCrest Funeral Home

July 31, 1941 — August 24, 2023

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OakCrest Funeral Home

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

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James Owens

James Law Owens

Master Chief Boatswain's Mate James Law Owens was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on July 31, 1941, and spent his early years in Benton, Arkansas. He passed away on August 24, 2023 in Waco, Texas. The service for James will be held at OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel, 4520 Bosque, Waco, TX, on Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 PM.

In 1957, his family moved to Visalia, California. He enlisted in the United States Navy on January 17, 1961 at Fresno, California, and received his recruit training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego. Upon completion of recruit training, he was transferred to the U.S. Naval Air Station, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, followed by assignments onboard USS Monticello (Adak, Alaska) and onboard USS Henrico. In July 1967, Master Chief Owens was ordered to River Squadron Five, Section 532, Republic of Vietnam as Patrol Boat Captain. For his actions in Vietnam he was awarded two Navy Commendation Medals with combat "V".

He reported to Navy Recruiting Command for duty and was assigned to Branch Station, Toledo, Ohio in October 1968. During his time at this duty station, he met and married Kay Frances Miller of Elmore, Ohio. They exchanged nuptials on December 6, 1969.

James then received orders to the Naval Advisor School, Mare Island, California. In April of 1972, Master Chief Owens was transferred to USS Tuscaloosa. In February 1974, James and Kay welcomed their only child, Kara. In November of 1976, he returned to Recruit Training Command, San Diego, this time as a Company Commander and the Drill Division Officer. He was promoted to Master Chief in May 1978. His next assignment was as the Administrative Office and Command Master Chief of Naval Facility, San Nicholas Island, Point Mugu, California (where he was awarded his third Naval Commendation Medal).

He was selected to attend the Senior Enlisted Academy in January of 1983 where he served as Class President. He reported to Naval Station, San Diego, in March of 1983 for duty as Command Master Chief. While serving there he was selected for assignment as Force Master Chief, Commander Naval Logistics Command, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In September of 1988 he received orders to Fighter Squadron TWO at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, for duty as Master Chief. James retired in 1991 after 31 years of military service. He found great joy in delivering on his commitment to his country.

Upon retirement, James and Kay made the move from Temecula, California to East End, Arkansas before settling in Hewitt, Texas.

James was predeceased by Buster Owens (Father), Mae Owens (Mother), Gene Owens (brother), Douglas Owens (brother), Steve Owens (brother). He is survived by Kay Owens (wife), Kara Cole (daughter), Drew Cole (son-in-law), Kayli Griffin (granddaughter), Jordan Griffin (grandson-in-law), Abra Cole (granddaughter), James Cole (grandson), Meghan Cole (granddaughter), Tommy Sutton (grandson-in-law), Jeremy Cole (grandson), Carson Cole (great grandson), Conner Sutton (great grandson), Bergendy Sutton (great granddaughter), Jordan Griffin Jr. (great grandson), Chuck Owens (brother), Jaci Owens (sister in-law), Donald Owens (brother), Bill Owens (brother) Shirley Mould (sister), Carol Owens (sister in-law) as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers at St. Catherine's Providence Village as well as the ICU staff at Providence Hospital.