Edward M. Owen Jr.

Edward Morgan Owen, Jr., age 76, of Arlington, VA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, following a short bout with pneumonia (non-COVID). He was surrounded by family at his bedside in the ICU at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington at his death.

Ed was born at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, MD, on May 27, 1945, to Edward Morgan Owen, Sr., and Elizabeth (Balling) Owen. Ed’s father was a Navy pilot and later a civilian test pilot, and his earliest years were spent crossing the U.S. from the East Coast to the West Coast and back.

Overall, he considered Northern Virginia “home” since he spent most of his youth in this area and was in the first graduating class at Yorktown High School in Arlington. He attended West Virginia University and graduated from Athens College, Athens, AL. Ed went through the Army Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, GA, became an Armor officer, and was assigned to Ft. Knox, KY, where he served as Commander, Advanced Marksmanship Unit, and met his wife. After leaving active-duty Ed returned to Arlington and began his career at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, eventually becoming Chief, Firearms Technology Branch. During his career at ATF Ed traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and around the world on various missions, making lifelong friends in the process.

Ed had many interests and hobbies that he enjoyed in retirement. He was a long-time militaria collector, and helped others advance their knowledge and size of their collections. He liked to go fishing and enjoyed working in his yard or on his house. About 15 years ago, Ed started the hobby of pen-turning, making hand-crafted pens for family, friends, neighbors, and his wife’s church bazaars. He also enjoyed cooking outside on his charcoal grill and two smokers and was always looking for new recipes to try on the smokers or grill. His love of grilling and smoking led him to helping family, friends, and neighbors learn the finer points of cooking with smoke. Ed enjoyed tasting single-malt Scotch with his friends and extolling the virtues of each one.

Ed touched many people during his lifetime with his kindness, helpfulness, friendship, and a great sense of humor. He will be missed by his many friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Fisselbrand Owen, his beloved German Shepherd Axel, several cousins, and Donna’s family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his dogs (Zeus, Rebel, Max, Kaiser, Bear, and Rudi), and other extended family members.

Visitation will be held at Murphy’s Funeral Home in Arlington on Saturday, November 13, from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 pm. Burial at Arlington National cemetery will occur at a later date.

Special thanks to the incredible nurses, doctors, and other staff who provided such wonderful care to Ed in the ICU at Virginia Hospital Center.

Donations in memory of Ed may be made to the Virginia Hospital Center Foundation (1701 North George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22205 or vhcfoundation.com or 703-717-4653); Wounded Warrior Project (P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or www.wwp.org or 1-877-832-6997); Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org or 301-294-8560); or to a charity of your choice. Please write “In Memory of Edward M. Owen, Jr.” on the Memo line. Thank you.