Born on October 25, 1942, in Cold Spring, NY to Parry and Edith Owens, he grew up in Whitesboro, NY. He started high school in Tripoli, Africa, then moved to Saint Petersburg, FL where he lived with his grandmother and ran track while attending St. Pete High. Russ continued his education at St. Pete Jr. College and graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Russ started his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Oakland Police Department in California. He continued his career with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a Bureau Chief and oversaw Research and Development. Russ then moved to the Atlanta area and ran the High Crime Impact Program as Executive Director of the Atlanta Crime Commission. His work took him from the public sector to the private sector where he advanced in the world of corporate security with IBM. Russ retired from IBM as Director of Security, Worldwide Sales and Service, after 20 years with the company. He continued work in the private sector as a security consultant for the rest of his life.
Russ was a lifelong entrepreneur, always sparking new endeavors and business ventures with friends and family. He’s known by many because of his Anglesey Knives. His love of the water and his Christian ideals are imprinted on the Anglesey logo.
An energetic and positive force, Russ was known for his love of his family, his attention to detail, his work ethic, and his youth. He was younger than all of us. He had many love languages, never short on words of affection, but his gift was his service to others. He loved fixing your things.
Russ’s life is celebrated by his wife of 43 years, Rebecca Owens, son David Owens and granddaughter Presley Taylor, daughter and son-in-law, Karin and Andrew Lovell, grandchildren Adia, Jack, and Cole, daughter and son-in-law, Nedra and Jeremy Springer, grandchildren Sela Rose, Zion, Gloriana, and Eve, son and daughter-in-law, Ren Owens and Quinlyn Wright and grandson Chapman, sister Nedra Sekera, brother Roger Owens, brother William Owens, and their children and grandchildren.
A private service will be held on May 4, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Radiant through the following link:
https://www.radiant-ones.org/invest
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
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