Ernest Alfred Owens Jr.

Father, veteran, and retired executive Ernest A. Owens Jr.’s love of life didn’t come to an end with his death. Ernie passed away on September 15th, 2022, at the age of 86, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Ernie served honorably in the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school in Chattanooga, TN, his birthplace. After serving for several years in England in the 1950’s, Ernie returned to the States and attended Tennessee Temple University where he met and married his wife, Delores Boone Owens of Foley, Alabama. Ernie spent most of his career in leadership positions at numerous nonprofit organizations, including March of Dimes and The American Heart Association.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Ernie. He loved engaging in deep conversation with good friends, dining at his favorite restaurants, and watching airplanes take off and land at the end of his local airport’s runway. He had an uncanny ability to find happiness in his daily activities, loved to read anything he could get his hands on, and never missed a nightly newscast. His friendly personality was contagious to everyone he met. Ernie is survived by his sons, R. Mark Owens of Kansas, and Greg S. Owens of Fairhope, brother David Owens of Texas, sister Sharon Quinn of Georgia, grandchildren Lexi Owens of Louisiana, Allie Owens Langlois, Macy Owens Plush, Avery Owens, and Brody Owens, all of Kansas, and great grandchildren Estelle Langlois and Beau Plush of Kansas.