Owen Cecil Leslie, Jr.
Owen Cecil Leslie, Jr. of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024.
Owen was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 10, 1931 to Owen Cecil Leslie and Sue Page Leslie. His family later moved to Tuscaloosa, where he graduated from Tuscaloosa High School. He was a 1953 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he studied Banking and Finance and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity and Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity. Owen was a loyal fan to his beloved Alabama football for the remainder of his life. While at Alabama, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve through ROTC.
Upon his graduation from the University of Alabama, he moved to Chattanooga, having accepted a position with Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company (now UNUM). A friend loaned him his University of Chattanooga yearbook, where he spotted a picture of Dudley Jones and he asked his friend to make an introduction. Owen courted Dudley and they were married on July 28, 1954. They were married for 58 years until her death in 2012.
From 1954–1956, Owen served in the U. S. Army Medical Service Corps with the 60th Infantry Regiment stationed in Heilbronn, Germany. Their time in Germany with the ability to travel in Europe was a wonderful time for Owen and Dudley, and they made lifelong friends during their Army days. Following his return from active duty, he continued his military service as a reserve officer with the U.S. Army Garrison Unit in Chattanooga, attaining the rank of Major prior to resigning commission in 1967.
After returning from military service in 1956, Owen resumed his employment with Provident and began training as a Life Underwriter. He served in various underwriting positions, retiring as Vice President, Life Department in 1987 after 35 years of service. He was active in the Home Office Life Underwriting Association (HOLUA, now AHOU), a national association of underwriting officers, and served as President in 1987. Following his retirement from Provident, he worked as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Osborn Laboratories, a testing laboratory serving the insurance industry based in Olathe, Kansas; he maintained his office on Signal Mountain and retired in 1998.
Their church involvement was central to both Owen and Dudley’s lives, and they were active members of Central Presbyterian Church and later Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. He served as a Deacon and Elder in both churches, and particularly enjoyed doing visitation and home communion for homebound SMPC members for many years. In the community, he served on the Boards of Directors for Scenic Land School, The Children’s Home/Chambliss Center, and the Presbyterian Day School. He also enjoyed his friendships through the SMPC Monday Men’s Group and the Signal Mountain Investment Club. Owen’s greatest joy was his family, and he especially treasured his five grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Dudley, his sister Jeanne Leslie Ray, and his brother-in-law William Harrison Ray, Jr.
Surviving are a son, Owen C. Leslie III (Donna Acquilano) of Evergreen, Colorado; a daughter, Mary Leslie Scott (Andy) of Greensboro, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Dominick Garland Leslie (Phoebe Hunt), Gina Marie Leslie, Samuel Joseph Leslie, William Andrew Scott (Susannah Baird), and John Leslie Scott (fiancée Aubrie Wilkinson); and great-grandson Vassar Francisco Leslie. He is also survived by two nieces, Suzanne Ray Hoye (Jim) and Katherine Ray Gaines (Buddy), and by friend and companion Margaret Kelley.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. William E. Dudley, Rev. Margaret Ferguson, and Rev. Dr. Joey Sherrard officiating. Visitation will follow the service in the greeting room of the church. A private burial will take place at National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, Tn. 37377 or to a charity of your choice.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com
Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn., has been entrusted with the arrangements.