Mr. Merle Wayne Owens

Merle was born on March 30,1933 in Barnsdall, OK. to Jesse R. Owens and Beulah Thompson Owens. Merle was Salutatorian of the Barnsdall HS Class of 1951. As a student athlete he was the leading scorer and rebounder on his HS basketball team that he led to the Final Four of the Oklahoma HS State Tournament. In football, Merle led his conference in scoring as a receiver and safety. In1951, he received an athletic scholarship to play football at The University of Oklahoma under legendary coach Bud Wilkinson. Merle was part of OU's 47 game winning streak and earned his varsity letter in 1952.Also at OU, Merle pledged Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and was in Army ROTC. In 1953 he married his high school sweetheart Natalie Norris. Merle graduated from OU in 1955 with a BBA -Marketing and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. After graduation, Merle joined National Supply Company, an oil field products manufacturer and soon became a field sales engineer. In 1962, Merle and his family moved to Irving, TX and Merle joined Allstate Insurance as an underwriter. In 1966, Merle was recruited into sales at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and he was assigned a five-county territory in North Texas. After leading the state in sales many times, in 1967 he was promoted to District Manager of the Blue Cross office in Lubbock, TX. In two years, he was promoted to Regional Manager for West Texas responsible for 5 district offices. In 1973, Merle was promoted to Regional Manager for Blue Cross in Dallas/ Fort Worth and the family moved back to the DFW area where they currently reside. In 1978 Merle changed careers and became a Senior VP at Paul R. Ray and Company, an international Executive Search firm based in Fort Worth, TX. After 15 productive years at PRR, Merle started his own executive search firm in 1993 at the age of 60. That firm will celebrate its' 30th year of operation in May 2023. Wherever Merle lived he was faithfully involved in the life of his church and held many leadership positions in the Baptist faith community.

Merle is predeceased by his parents Jesse and Beulah and siblings Morris and Ernestine. Living to cherish his memory are his wife Natalie, son Jesse (Donna)and grandchildren Katie Owens Bauer(Ted) and Peter Owens. Daughter Jennifer Owens Dowdy(Greg) and grandson Brent Dowdy(Jeanette).

Merle requested a private, family graveside memorial which will be held at a later date. Gifts in honor of his memory may be given to:

Cook Children's Health Foundation-801 7th Ave.- Fort Worth, TX 76104

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