Wesley Owensby

Wesley Fremont, better known as “Doc” Owensby, of Visalia, passed away October 10, 2010, at Kaweah Delta Hospital, at 96. He was born January 19, 1914 in Buffalo, Missouri to James Wesley and Della Mae Owensby. He married Kathleen Nichols Owensby, October, 1938, in Buffalo, MO. They had three children, James Wesley Owensby, Mary Lee Owensby, and Keith Edward Owensby. Following the death of his wife, Kathleen Nichols Owensby, 1971, he married Helen Lawrence Botkin, February 11, 1973, in Visalia. She predeceased him in death on July 19, 2007. He was also preceded in death by six brothers and sisters, wife, Kathleen Nichols Owensby, Visalia son, Keith Edward Owensby, TN, granddaughter, Kim Gronsdahl, Oregon, and Brian Gronsdahl, Oregon. He worked for Southern California Edison Company for thirty years and retired October 24, 1975. “Rancho Costa Plenty” on Ben Maddox Way, and farming were his passion. He worshiped at Gateway Church of Visalia and was active in the community until three weeks ago when he fell and broke his hip. Prior to that he was attending monthly real estate meetings, Bible and Breakfast, visiting the Senior Center, and exercising at Lifestyle. A man of faith and family values, integrity and character, he enjoyed gathering with the family, catching up with how everyone was doing, and playing nightly board games which he did for over fifty years. He led a colorful and exciting life and traveled the globe on numerous organized trips. Favorite destinations were Australia and the Panama Canal. He enjoyed regaling stories of life experiences to his grandchildren who always wanted another story. A favored escapade was a bear encounter he had on a cabin porch while staying at a cabin in Montana. After many years of being asked about his life, he wrote a book at age eight-five documenting the highlights of his life. He kept a diary spanning many decades that he wrote in at the end of each day recording the doings at “Rancho Costa Plenty”. He enjoyed reading and keeping up with local and national news. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Lee Ivey, Visalia, James Wesley Owensby, Washington, step-daughters, Jennifer Botkin Phillips, Montvale, NJ, Lezlie Marian Botkin, PhD. Boulder, CO, grandsons, Ryan Thomas Botkin, Visalia, Randy Craig Ivey, Visalia, and Keith Wesley Owensby, Ohio; granddaughters Merri Elizabeth Barnes, Visalia, Kristina Elaine Botkin, Visalia, Diane Owensby, Visalia, Nicole Marie Maher, Bozeman, MT, Lesa Marie Maher, Livingston, MT, Aimee Elizabeth Maher, Helena, MT, Kay Swauger, TN, Sherrie Lynn Linton, Ohio, Terry Lynn McBride, Portland, Oregon, and several great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Alzheimer’s and Memory Center, Fresno, CA 93726, Christian Ministries, PO. Box 7537, Visalia, CA 93290, or a favorite charity. A memorial service will be held October 21,11:00 AM at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia. Immediately following a reception will be held at Gateway Church of Visalia, 1100 S. Sowell Street, Visalia.

Arrangements under the direction of Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA.