Robert Clayton Owens, 69, of Ocoee,TN, passed away Thursday, February 7, 2013 in a local hospital.
He was a Ham Radio operator. He was of the Methodist faith. He attended West Virginia University, receiving both a B.S. and MBA Degrees and also taught at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was a retired Colonel of the United States Air Force serving his country for 22 years and was stationed at the Pentagon for 8 years. After military retirement he served as Vice-President of Management Consulting and Research, Incorporated. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 81.
Mr. Owens was the son of the late Samuel M. Owens, Jr. and Margaret Drury Owens; and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Katherine Owens.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Owens of Ocoee; five children, Robert Owens, Jr. of Falmouth, ME, Stephen M. and Tina Owens of Knoxville, Thomas C. Owens of San Diego, CA, James Johnson of Columbia, TN and Annette and Marty Lowe of Cleveland; 11 grandchildren, Ashlee Owens, Andrew Owens, Kari Owens, Noah Owens, Sasha Owens, Katya Owens, Estella Johnson, Emma Johnson, Elizabeth Cosby, Shelby Lowe and Heather Lowe; one sister, Elizabeth Gagnon of Centerville, MA; two brothers, Samuel Owens, III and Thomas Owens both of St. Albans, W.V.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 10, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Seay officiating. Interment will follow in Benton Memorial Gardens with military honors. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:0-8 p.m. Saturday, February 9, at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home who has charge of the arrangements.