Russell Marvin Owens

Russell Marvin “Marve” Owens, of Columbia, MO, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the age of 94, following a brief illness. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty nine years, Virginia Lee Owens, of the home; his daughters: Susan L. Dasta, D.O. of Kansas City, MO, Leslie A. Owens of St. Louis, MO; son in law, John S. Pletz of Jefferson City, MO; his grandchildren: Brittany E. Marten of Chicago, IL, Casey L. Pletz of Kansas City, MO, Vincent P. Dasta of Chicago, IL, and Sara Virginia Howard of Seattle, WA; five great grandchildren, Alexandra, Olivia, Anna, Rory, Evan; as well as his brother, Joseph H. Owens of Sullivan, MO. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen L. Pletz; his sister, Maxine Wulfson; and his brother, Leonard H. Owens. Marve was born in Shirley, MO, on July 22, 1920, to Leonard H. Owens and Ollie J. Owens. The family moved to Sullivan, MO, when his father was named Pastor of the First Baptist Church there, and Marve graduated from Sullivan High School in 1938. He attended college at the University of Missouri in Columbia; however, his education was interrupted when the United States entered WWII. Marve left school and joined the Naval Air Corps, where he served as a pilot and flight instructor from 1942-1946. Marve married Virginia Lee Harmon on August 21, 1945, in Cabool, MO, and was subsequently stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL. After completing his Naval Service, Marve and Ginny returned to Columbia where he resumed his education. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1947, having earned his BS/BA in both Business and Engineering and with the academic ranking of first in his class. In 1954, after several years in Kansas City, Marve and Ginny and their three children: Karen, Susan and Leslie, again returned to Columbia where Marve became Manager, and eventually President and Owner, of M&M Highway Materials, a steel culvert manufacturer, until his retirement in 1978. Following his retirement, Marve and longtime friend and associate, Andrew Bass, established Columbia Commodities Exchange, which held a seat on The Chicago Board of Trade. Marve gave generously of his time, experience and knowledge to his community and was active in numerous business, professional and civic organizations through the years. He served on the Board of Trustees of Columbia College and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees Finance Committee for more than 27 years, and was honored by the designation of the R. Marvin Owens Soccer Field in his name. Upon his retirement from that position in 2003, Marve was named as Honorary Alumnus of Columbia College in recognition of his outstanding leadership, service and dedication to the financial growth and fiscal stability of the college. His service as member of The Board of Trustees of First Baptist Church was equally lengthy and included several terms as Chairman, and multiple terms as Chairman of the First Baptist Church Endowment Fund. Marve was a retired member of the Board of Directors of Boone County National Bank, a past member of the Board of Trustees of United Way of Columbia and a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Great Rivers Regional Council of the Boy Scouts of America, among many other organizations he served. Marve was a past member of the Missouri State Transportation and Development Board and served terms as President of both the national and Midwest regional Corrugated Steel Pipe Association. He was a longtime member and past board member of Columbia Downtown Rotary and was active in both Columbia Chamber of Commerce and The Missouri State Chamber of Commerce. Marve was an active supporter of The University of Missouri and a lifetime member of the University of Missouri Alumni Associates. He was an ardent supporter of University of Missouri Athletic programs, was a member of the The Jefferson Club and a Golden Tiger Athletic Booster, and attended every home football game for more than fifty five seasons, including every game of the 1961 season, during which he was confined to a wheelchair with multiple lower extremity fractures following a small plane accident. His family is grateful Marve was unaware of the final score of the Missouri vs Georgia football game played later in the day. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at the First Baptist Church, with visitation being held one hour prior to service. Interment with military honors will immediately follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.