Don Owens passed away on April 12, 2021 with his family by his side after a valiant battle with cancer. Don’s positive attitude and spirit propelled him through years of chemotherapy and he fought bravely right up until the end.
Don proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967 and then graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a double major and double minor in three years. In 1969, he married Jackie Heard before beginning his career with the State of Tennessee. His career as a state employee spanned 33 years and he retired from the Department of Environment and Conservation in 2010. Following his retirement, Don devoted a great deal of time to researching his family's ancestry and sharing his research results with many relatives.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Ruth Owens of Tullahoma, TN. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jackie Owens, and his daughters Amy Purcell (Jason) and Mary Brown (Dusty), as well as beloved grandchildren Reed Brown, Noah Purcell, Elsie Brown, and Grayson Purcell. Don is also survived by his brother Dale Owens and partner Judy Shea of Florida and his nephew, David Owens of Pennsylvania.
The family would like to thank Dr. Anthony Florian, Dr. Antony Charles, Dr. Steven Dill, Teresa Palmer and the Palliative Care Team, the nurses on 6 East and the staff of U.T. Cancer Institute.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family will receive friends, Sunday, April 18, 2021 in the parlors of Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, Tennessee from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Family and friends will meet Monday, April 19, 2021 for a 12:30pm graveside service. United States Air Force providing military honors.
Online condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com
