Gary Wayne Owen

He had a love of music at an early age prompted by his Mother’s musical talent that was developed playing piano in her father’s church. At Burleson High School, Owa played the clarinet in the marching band.

After graduation, he continued his musical career playing music with groups such as “The Fort Worth Playboys” and “The Electric Honey”.

In 1968, Owa met his lifelong friend Charlie Bassham at Tarrant County Junior College. They went on to form a musical bond playing together for 53 years in bands like “Soul Purpose” and “The Lee Pickens Group”, which recorded several albums with Capital Records in Hollywood, CA. In 1975 Owa played with “David Day and Ace High Straight” then with “Curiosity” in 1977.

Owa took a break and started traveling and playing all across the United States. He returned to Fort Worth where he mixed sound for a D/FW group “Phyrework” on Mercury Records with his dear friend Willie Smith whom he had known since 1964. Willie and Owa moved on to also play together in the group “Cat Daddy”.

After working with "Phyrework" Owa flew to New England to work with "Marcia Rose & Holiday". He soon became known affectionately as "Tex" to all his friends. He also worked with "The Breakers" and enjoyed a total of 8 very successful musical years in New England. Over those magical times, Gary and Marcia fell in love and married in 1985.

In 1987, Mr. and Mrs. Owen returned to Fort Worth, Texas and continued their adventures.

Back in Texas, Owa also played with his good friend Willie in the group “Ed Lively & the Movers” at well-known clubs and events like the “Caravan of Dreams” and “The Main Street Arts Festival”.

Owa’s musical skills were closely matched by his woodworking and construction abilities which he used at “Lewis Stephens Property Rehab Services”, right up until his retirement.

His first love of music called him back to play with bands like “The Soul Rokerz”, “Dr. Wu Group” and “The Texas Blues Project”. His favorite pastime, if he wasn’t playing music, was definitely working on his 1977 Ranger Boat and of course fishing the many Texas Lakes. He loved spending time at home with Marcia and his faithful dogs, and helping Marcia with her entertainment career.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Earl Wayne and Juanita Marie Owen, and father-in-law Raymond R. Rose.

He is survived by his wife Marcia Rose Owen, brother Dale Owen and his wife Pam Owen, nieces Christy Perez & Tammy Werner, nephew Tommy Owen, aunts Marjean Kitts & Mildred Carpenter, uncles J.R. Owen & Bobby Owen, his mother in law Barbara V. Rose, brothers’ in law Raymond R. Rose and wife Betty White-Rose, Stephen E. Rose and Alfred R. Rose, sister in law Claire B. Rose, nieces Natalie & husband Greg Cordeiro and Lianna Rose, great niece Violet Rose and the entire Rose family, along with his extended family of musical brothers.

Rest in peace Gary. We ALL love you so much for the joy and mischievous fun that you brought into our lives. You will NEVER be forgotten and we know you will FOREVER keep making that beautiful music.