Donald Hobson Owens

NEW IBERIA – Funeral services will be celebrated for Donald Hobson Owens at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Evangeline Funeral Home. Pastor Dave Rousse will officiate. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home, 314 East Saint Peter St. New Iberia on Tuesday from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm, and will resume on Wednesday from 8:00 am until time of services.

Donald was a resident of New Iberia for over 50 years and has joined our Lord in passing peacefully on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at his residence, surrounded by family and friends. He just turned 90 years of age in July.

He was a WWII Veteran having served in the U.S. Navy (SeaBee’s). He spent most of his life working in the Oilfield on drilling rigs as a Roughneck, Driller and relief Tool Pusher for numerous major drilling companies throughout south Louisiana. Mr. Owens also opened up his own business (Texaco Gas Station) located on the corner of Parkview and North Lewis street where he was the “Jack of all Trades” to include offering full service of pumping gas, mechanic work, etc. He relocated his business to Fontelieu Drive next to his residence where he constructed his own shop and started working on all vehicles of family and friends who put their trust in his hands to repair their vehicles.

Donald dedicated 40 plus years as a past member of the Masonic Aurora Lodge 193 F&AM of New Iberia. His life pleasures were anything to do with boats, being on the water, and his family. He was always ready to go fishing or shrimping and enjoyed having cookouts and sharing a meal with family and friends.

Survivors include his children, Danny Forrester and wife Teeny of New Iberia, Donald Wayne Owens and wife Nancy of Springhill, Grady W. (Billy) Owens and wife Beth of New Iberia, Annette (Louise) Owens Louviere of New Iberia, Dawn Touchet Spice of Port Allen; his step-children, Mike Hebert and wife Joell, Gary Hebert and wife Glenda, Barbara Melancon, and Pookie Lambert and husband Woody all of Gonzales; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; his brother, Bobby Owens and wife Rena of Bossier City; two half-sisters, Rita Ledbetter of Shreveport, and Linda Helm of Oklahoma; and a very close and dear friend, Miss Irene Joyce Lanclos of New Iberia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady H. Owens and Gracie Pool Owens; wife of first marriage, Syble Couvillion Owens; wife of second marriage, Florette St.Pierre Owens; a daughter and son, Frances Forrester McGlothlan and Bobby Forrester; a grandson, Seth Touchet; and his brothers and sister, Alfred and James Owens and Lavergne Owens Moore.

Serving as pallbearers will be Troy Forrester, Todd Forrester, Lyle Owens, Hannaniah Owens, Daniel Owens and David Owens. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Ibach and Cleo Babin.

To view the online obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia (337) 364-1881 is in charge of arrangements.