Dr. C. James "Jim" Owen

Dr. C. James (Jim) Owen died peacefully at home on Thursday, August 16, 2018. He was born Carroll James Owen in McKeesport, PA on January 24, 1937. Jim never favored his given first name, so when childhood friends nicknamed him “Buzz”, he kept it the rest of his life. A depression era job brought the Owens to Fort Wayne in 1938 where Buzz continued to live the rest of his years. He attended St. Vincent Villa, St. Patrick Catholic grade school, and Central Catholic High School. Some of his best friends whom he remained in close contact with throughout his life were from C.C.’s Class of 1955.

An avowed patriot, Buzz served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne (aka “Those Devils in Baggy Pants”) based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At discharge in 1959, he enrolled in Indiana University, Bloomington where he studied education and social studies. It was here he met his wife to be, Susan Joan Poplett, the first week of Fall Semester on Kirkwood Avenue near the Sample Gates. They married September 1, 1962; a date when Buzz claims life truly began.

After graduation, Jim taught history and government at Hoagland High School in East Allen County Schools. In 1965, he took leave from teaching to pursue graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame where he earned an MA, ’67, and a PhD, ’73. His doctoral dissertation, The Politics of Unigov: The Consolidation of City and County Government in Indianapolis, was widely accepted as the story of Unigov and became a textbook published by the University of California Berkeley Press. Jim’s membership in the Father Sorin Society and the Badin Guild, acknowledges the transformative opportunities the University of Notre Dame provided him and the enduring impact they’ve had on his life.

Upon accepting the position of Director of the Civic Affairs Department of the Chamber of Commerce, Owen and family moved back to Fort Wayne. In 1970, Dr. Owen began teaching at IPFW in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, a career he greatly enjoyed for over 30 years. His tenure highlights include earning “The Award for Teaching Excellence” three times and being selected as a Fulbright Scholar in 1991; an award that brought him to Poland where he taught urban democratic principles and practices at Warsaw University. As other occasions to travel as a visiting professor and consultant were presented, he enthusiastically accepted. These sojourns around the globe allowed Jim and Sue to form unique bonds with people from Thailand, Japan, and The Netherlands, some of whom became extended members of the family.

Dr. Owen’s devotion to the City of Fort Wayne was evident in the many roles he filled as a civil servant. Jim served the community in several capacities throughout the mayoral terms of Ivan Lebamoff, Robert Armstrong, Win Moses, Paul Helmke, and Graham Richard. A partial list of his other civic engagements include sitting on the Fort Wayne Board of Works, the Fort Wayne City Plan Commission, the Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners, the Fort Wayne Community Trust Board, and the Fort Wayne Education Foundation. His steadfast devotion to and support of programs and developments benefitting the Fort Wayne community were inspired by his sincere desire to see the city reach its fullest potential.

Jim’s competitive nature was evident in all he did, and those who knew him will forever admire his spirit and desire to excel at whatever activity or sport he pursued. Buzz had a love for golf and tennis and played competitively for many decades, but his true passion in sports was Notre Dame football. He devoted countless hours of his time over the years scouting local high school talent on behalf of the program. In the process, he significantly impacted the lives of dozens of young men - many of whom became lifetime friends.

Dr. Owen retired from IPFW in 2001, but was never one to sit idle. Jim remained true to his teaching roots by giving of his time to read to grade school students and coach high school tennis and golf. As a seven-year participant in the “Real Men Read” program, he was able to share his lifelong love of reading to third and fourth graders at Washington Center and Holland Elementary Schools. Jim enthusiastically shared his passion for tennis and golf while volunteering as an assistant coach at Snider High School. “Coach Jimmy” recalled that life had brought him “many thrills, but seldom exceeded feedback obtained while coaching Snider Ladies’ Tennis. Bless you girls”. Retirement also allowed Jim to spend more time with his much adored grandchildren and was an ardent supporter of all of their academic, athletic, and artistic pursuits.

As a child of a broken home, Jim was devoted to the nuclear family he headed. Wife, Susan, son, Andrew, daughter, Sarah, and bonus son, Leon created his version of a perfect family. Surviving are Jim’s wife, Susan, son, Andrew (Angie) Owen, daughter, Sarah (George) Baldus, and son, Leon Richardson; grandchildren, Austen (Erin) Owen, Allison Owen, Alex Owen, Georgia Baldus, Caroline Baldus, Keenan Baldus, Natalie Richardson, Lauren Richardson, and Nicholas Richardson. Also surviving are Buzz’s supportive and resourceful siblings, Janet Marie (John) Reid and Dennis (Jannifer) Owen and beloved nephews, John and Dan Reid, Kevin Owen, and Jim Owen. Brother, William Robert Owen, preceded him in death.

Preferred memorials are to The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Lifetime Sports Academy, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home.

A Memorial Visitation will be Friday, August 24, 4-7 pm at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, 420 West Wayne St.; A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 am at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 West Wayne St. Friends and family are invited to share refreshments immediately following the service in Wagenhal’s Hall at the church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.klaehnfahlmelton.com for the Owen family.