Harry D. "Hap" Owen, Sr. died April 10, 2014 at St. Catherine's Village, Madison. He was 94 years old. Visitation is Monday, April 14, 2014, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, Ridgeland. A memorial service will be held in the funeral home chapel Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at 11:00 AM, with a visitation one hour prior.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James S. Owen, Sr. and Frankie Council Owen; brothers, Frank C. Owen and James S. Owen, Jr.; and his wife of 68 years, Ruthie LaRue Owen.
Hap graduated from Central High School in Jackson, the University of Mississippi, and the Jackson School of Law. During World War II he enlisted in the Marine Corps, and in response to the need for pilots, he transferred to the US Army Air Corps and taught flying for the remainder of the war. He began the practice of law with Green and Green; was a partner in the firm of Lumpkin, Bacon and Owen; and was General Counsel, Vice President, Executive Vice President, and President of Larco Drilling and Exploration Corporation. During the administration of Governor Bill Waller, Hap was the Executive Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board, the economic development agency for the State of Mississippi. He was Executive Vice President of Ergon, Inc. until his retirement.
He held memberships in American Management Association, Hinds County Bar Association, Mississippi State Bar, American Bar Association, Fellow of Mississippi Bar Foundation, Sigma Delta Kappa (legal), and Rotary Club of Jackson. Of his many honors, he was most proud of was the Honorary Master of Law Degree awarded by the Mississippi College School of Law.
He is survived by sons, Harry D. Owen, Jr. (Hilda), F. LaRue Owen (Marie); and daughters, Susan Greer (A.W.), Cindy Adams (Bill), and Melissa Wible (Danny); 12 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their appreciation for the loving care by the entire staff at St. Catherine’s Village. They especially thank Dr. George Patton and Leslie Haines for the years of loving attention; Joyce Luckett for her special devotion, and Kelly Ingebretsen for her wonderful vigilance as his hospice nurse. Also thanks to Covenant Caregivers for their service to our Dad.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make memorial donations to Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, the Hap Owen Fund at Mississippi College School of Law, or the charity of your choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5