David James Owens

David James Owens, age 88 passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025 and was born with his twin, Lawrence Owens, on March 13, 1937, in Linden, Texas, to the late Alfred Lee Owens Sr. and Roxie Lee Owens. In 1941, the Owens family moved to Orange County, California, in search of a better life.

Sonny began his education in 1943 at Maple Elementary School and continued on to Wilshire Junior High School, Fullerton Union High School, and Fullerton Junior College.

A gifted athlete, David held a national prep record in both the high and low hurdles at Fullerton Union High School. His love for track began at an early age, when he would tag along to practice with his older brother, Jewell, spending time in the sandbox while his brother trained. In high school, Sonny was a multi-sport athlete—excelling in baseball, basketball, football—and was elected Student Body President his senior year.

David proudly served in the United States Army, stationed in Germany for two and a half years. After receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his education at Fullerton College. He went on to work as an Electrical Engineering Designer at Ford Aerospace in Newport Beach, California, where he eventually retired after 30 years.

On June 6, 1964, David married the love of his life, Claudette Arbouet Owens. Together they raised their three children, Vida Owens Grant, Florence Owens-Davis, David Kane Owens, and granddaughter Naomi Simone Grant with love, laughter, and deep faith.

Family was everything to David. He was a man of few words. However, you always felt the warmth and peace of his presence – through his dry humor and sarcasm. He was a lifelong learner, he loved to read and never missed a new edition of the atlas or almanac, marking his favorite discoveries in red ink. He loved music and filled his home with rhythm and joy - Motown, Blues, Oldies, Jazz, and R&B.

David was a humble man and a role model to all who knew him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He and Claudette traveled the world together and were constant fixtures at high school and college sports games, especially those played by their children and grandchildren.

David served as the president of the Leon Owens Foundation for many years. One of his favorite events was the Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, which supported causes close to his heart such as the college scholarships for underrepresented students, the Shoes for Kids Project, and many other charities. Giving back to his community was more than a passion—it was a way of life for him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Claudette Arbouet Owens, children, Florence Owens-Davis, David Kane Owens, son-in-law, Michael L. Davis and grandchildren, the apples of his eye: Naomi Grant, Simeon Davis, Vida Davis, Seth Davis, Kayia Owens, Drew Owens, and Kayla Owens. In addition, his siblings Dorothy Whitehurst and Theodore Owens, brothers-in-law Remus Arbouet Jr., Jean Arbouet, John McClannahan, and sisters-in-law Florence Arbouet, Patricia Owens, Lowanna Owens, Romell Foster Owens, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Sonny was preceded in death by his daughter, Vida C. Owens Grant, parents, Alfred Lee Owens Sr. and Roxie Lee Love Owens, and siblings Jewell Owens, Leon Owens, Lawrence Owens-Jeffries, Alfred Owens Jr., Brigman Owens, Marvin Owens, Jessie Owens, Shirley Owens-McClannahan, and Audrey Mae Gardner.

Active Pallbearers:

David Kane Owens (Head Pallbearer), Michael L. Davis, Simeon E. Davis, Seth I. Davis, Drew Owens, & Kelle Whitehurst

Honorary Pallbearers:

Theodore Owens, Edgar Clark, Art Warren, Armand Corona, Otis McCoy, & Walter Morris

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

Contributions in David's memory may be made to Leon Owens Foundation, www.leonowensfoundation.org/product/leon-owens-foundation-donation-in-kind/