Michael Owens
Michael K. Owens, 74, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 19, 2020.
Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, and a master's degree from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In his first career he taught history at TTU’s College for the Deaf. During those years, he was heavily involved in the leadership of Highland Park Baptist Church’s outreach to the Chattanooga deaf community. He led singing during church services for the deaf and interpreted hundreds of sermons for thousands of deaf people. He interpreted for Baptist luminaries from Dr. Lee Roberson to Pastor Lester Roloff. He also taught sign language to thousands of university students and church members.
Michael was an avid reader who had a love for history particularly of the Civil War era. He was also a runner and cyclist. He ran four 50-mile ultra-marathons, dozens of traditional marathons, and biked across Tennessee and Georgia. He also rebuilt multiple classic cars including a 1967 Chevy Chevelle Supersport.
Prior to his college education, he served in the Tennessee National Guard. In 1968, he deployed to Nashville, in support of crowd control after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis.
Later in life he retired from the Army Corps of Engineers.
He especially loved serving his family, friends, community and church. He spent countless hours serving those in need at Patton Towers and Alton Park through the ministry of Woodland Park Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Joe Owens.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Patty Owens, his sons Travis (Lori) Owens of Murphys CA, and Tyler (Chrissy) Owens of Chattanooga, TN., daughter Kelly Chambley of Atlanta, GA., his sister Michelle (Kent) Brown, and brother David (Cindy) Owens, and twelve grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Lane Funeral Home South Crest from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, followed by a brief chapel service at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Larry Frick officiating. Graveside attendance will follow afterward at Lakewood Memorial Gardens. A military Honor Guard will provide military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the “missions” department of Woodland Park Baptist Church, Chattanooga.
The family requests guests observe social distancing and CDC Covid-19 measures. Masks are strongly encouraged.