George Douglas Owens

George Douglas Owens was born July 18, 1944 at Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco, California to Juve Robertson Owens and Hugh Douglas Owens. His father, Hugh, worked as a mechanic on troop ships at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard during World War II.

At 4 months of age, his parents moved back to Texas where he was raised in a modest home in Sherman. George attended Crockett Elementary School and Sherman High School where he was a member of the Gin Rummy Club and Vice President of Homeroom. He was also an accomplished member of the Boy Scouts of America.

After graduating high school in 1962, he worked in the grocery industry for Safeway while attending North Texas State University. It was during this time that he began stock car drag racing with a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air and a 1963 Plymouth, winning several bracket races in the North Texas area.

In 1966 at the age of 22, George enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private and attended basic combat training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. During basic training, he was awarded with the Outstanding Trainee trophy and achieved the rank of Specialist 5 within 6 months. He attended the first Artillery Chemical, Biological and Radiological Class, graduating September 15, 1966 before his assignment as a Forward Observer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. George was then selected to attend Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on April 25, 1967. After completion of the Air Defense Officer Course at Fort Bliss, Texas, he assumed command of D Battery, 5th Missile Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on September 29, 1968. After decommissioning the Nike-Hercules missile battery due to Department of Defense mandates, he served as the Medical Services Officer for the 45th Artillery Brigade at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He was subsequently awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding performance. He resigned his commission and was honorably discharged as 1st Lieutenant on June 30, 1972. George was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara in 2005 by Major General Michael A. Vane.

George’s civilian endeavors began in the automotive industry where insurance enterprises gained his attention. He soon started his career working for Allstate and The Hartford before securing a foothold with Alexander & Alexander. Later, he diligently worked for Marsh & McLennan and ultimately opened his own agency, Specialty Insurance Designs, with a focus on unique insurance coverage concepts.

George’s desire to pursue tough contract negotiations and insurance coverage obstacles required by electrical companies and large facilities led him back to large scale brokerage firms with a need for expansion and prosperity. He secured a coveted position as Senior Vice President for Higginbotham & Associates, spearheading the risk management services division in October of 2000 and grew the fledgling division with his unique abilities and skills. His peers regarded him with such high esteem that he was often referred to as the “Professor”. Most people viewed him as a cautious, safety-minded leader. Due to health concerns, he reluctantly retired in 2015.

He enjoyed hunting, playing guitar, photography, woodworking, tinkering on cars and watching westerns in his favorite recliner. He was known to have countless projects to start or be completed at any given time. George had an extensive catalog of music he loved to listen to and was always eager to share his concert experiences with those who had the same interests. He also had a special affinity for his beloved Pomeranians, Coffee and Caty, which were his loyal companions.

George was a perfectionist and approached every opportunity with every ounce of his ability. He taught all his children how to pack a room full of boxes into a car trunk and still have room for a carton of eggs and a gallon of milk. He also taught them to appreciate the finer things in life, but also to not take them for granted.

His complexity and unique characteristics were endless and made him equally special to everyone he encountered. He was a deep-thinker and patient listener known for his kindness and compassion. He was always appreciative and grateful for everything anyone did for him.

By all accounts, he was always genuinely happy to see everyone and was quick to befriend those he met. He could connect with absolutely anyone, anywhere, anytime and was always encouraging, engaging and positive. He was loved by everyone whose lives he touched.

George passed to be with his lord and savior on March 15, 2019 due to complications suffered from hepatic encephalopathy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Mrs. Barbara Ann Guill of Kerrville, Texas and Mrs. Loretta Jean Williams of Azle, Texas.

George is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 42 years of marriage and his beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Sophie. His sons, Mr. Jeffery E. Speight of McKinney and Mr. Greg D. Owens of Nevada and his daughters, Mrs. Shelly Wood of McKinney and Mrs. Michelle Hempton of Valley View. He was also known as “Granddad” to 12 loving grandchildren and 12 adoring great grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Granddad…until we meet again on those heavenly shores!