Herschel Cecil Ownbey (H.C.) age 85, celebrated the best Christmas ever when he entered heaven’s gates on Christmas morning of this year. He was born in Oklahoma City on March 26, 1935 to parents Herschel Cecil Ownbey and Emma Birdie Ownbey Young who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his sister, Marguerite Rawlings and many other loved ones and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara; daughters Marissa Lacy, Jolynda Bowman, Jeri Ann Ownbey, Charla (Ron) Jackson and son Herschel Ownbey Jr.; grandchildren Heidi (Ray) Valdez, Timothy (Kellie) Lacy, Seth (Natalie) Lacy, Cynthia (John), Cheyenne, and Hayla Ownbey, Nicole (Josh) Snow, Jonathon Bowman, Jesse (Ember), Jordan, Jacob Ham, Kasie (Dustin) Flynn, and Ashlyn Jackson; great grandchildren Caleb, Jenna, Hannah, Lynn, Noah, Miriam, Micah, Levi, Zoie, Jayden, Emma, Aaron, Rebekah, Abigail, Matthew, Jacob, Jesse, Dustyn, Ellie, Jaylene, Braxton, Samantha, Waylon, Emerson, Sawyer, Jacob and Jesse; and great-great grandson, Jackson. and sister, Joan (Tom) Leatherwood.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in engineering at Oklahoma University. Later he went to seminary at Arlington Baptist Seminary. He returned to Ohio to work as an aerospace engineer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
He trusted Christ as his Saviour at a young age and served God at Cornerstone Baptist Temple. His greatest joy was singing in the choir at the church and witnessing to others. He delighted in his grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the missionary work of Ron and Charla Jackson at Cleveland Baptist Church. A visitation will be held 12/30/2020 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM at Cornerstone Baptist Temple, 1707 Ohmer St. Dayton, Ohio 45410, with a funeral service following the visitation at 6 PM.
