Owen Purser

Owen’s parents are Arthur and Veda Rosa (nee Gessel) who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death are his siblings, Ray, Evan, Max, Lynn and Marco. He is survived by his sisters Marilyn and Karolyn, wife Vickie (nee Redding) of the Santa Cruz mountains and children, Dean of Los Banos (LeAnn), Keith of Folsom (Lynda) and Tina Storer (David) of Folsom. He was also preceded in death by his wife and mother of their three children Sharon (nee Van Hollebeke) to whom he was married for 41 years before her passing in 2001.

Owen has 29 grandchildren Bryce Purser, Cory Purser, Andria Purser, Haley Purser, Elliot Purser, Allie Casper, Ashley Drennan, Anthony Storer, Andrew Storer, Krista Clark, Scott Clark, Todd Clark, Adam Clark, Sandra Redding, Rex Redding, DeeDee Redding, Emi Redding, Jacob Batista, Lauryn Batista, Aitana Batista, Ryan Batista, Lila Batista, Annie Batista, Brandon Jensen, Garrett Jensen, Dallan Jensen, Justin Jensen, Addison Jensen and Jace Jensen and 17 Great Grandchildren, Jade Drennan, Brayden Drennan, Eric Drennan, Oliver Storer, Ella Storer, Elizabeth Storer, Donovan Bailey, Noel Purser, Vickie Larson, Soren Larsen, Winnie Batista, Ivey Batista, Marae Jensen, Mavis Jensen, BlakeLee Jensen, Bentley Jensen and Amberly Jensen.

Owen was born on February 15, 1938, in Logan, Utah and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 1, 1948. His first chapel was a courtroom on the second floor of the Kennewick Police Department where he later worked in his first job as a policeman. Owen was a great athlete and as a senior he was starting quarterback for the football team, starting guard for the basketball team and starting pitcher and clean-up hitter for the baseball team earning him the knick-name “Ringold Flash”.

Owen and Sharon became engaged in December 1948, when Sharon was a senior in High School and Owen was 20 years old. During Owen’s sophomore year at Washington State College, he and Sharon eloped and got married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Dean was born in 1960, Keith in 1962 and Tina in 1963. Owen and Sharon were sealed in the Oakland Temple on May 5, 1973.

Throughout his life, Owen served in the Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department and San Jose Police Department. After retirement in 1984, Owen served as the Police Chief of Connell, Washington and taught classes at West Valley College in Saratoga.

Owen and Sharon attended the Los Gatos Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later the Alma Branch in the Santa Cruz Mountains after its creation, serving in various capacities together with great vigor due to their love of the Savior and their unreserved service to others.

In 2002, Owen married Vickie and together they lived on Summit Road for 22 years and also attended the Alma Branch. They enjoyed time at their family gatherings and spending holidays at their home and were avid Jeopardy fans. They spend lots of time together at the theatre, walks along the beach and serving together in the Alma branch.

He was a loving man and was loved by all.

His service is on Saturday June 29th at 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Alma Branch chapel located at 23185 Summit Road, Los Gatos. The graveside service (family only) is at 11:30am on the same day at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95124.