Owen Louis McDermott

was born March 20, 1948, in Sturgis, South Dakota, to Edward and Ruth McDermott. He grew up in Mud Butte, South Dakota, helping out at the family-owned store. Owen began his education in a one-room schoolhouse a mile down the road from the store. He boarded out to attend high school in Newell where he participated in boxing and football. Owen attended Black Hills State after graduating high school. He was assistant editor for the school paper, and graduated with a B.S. in Business Education. He also earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Owen worked as a carpenter in Belle Fourche when he met his future wife, Mary Ellen Bunney. They were married in 1975 and raised two children together, Kelli and Edward. They moved to Henderson, Nevada, in 1982.

Owen went back to school at the University of Nevada Las Vegas to earn an endorsement to teach Elementary Education. He taught at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary in Las Vegas and Gordon McCaw Elementary School in Henderson, Nevada. Owen taught second, third and fourth grades for 20 years. He was known for his witty sense of humor and dedication to his students. McCaw became like a second family to him.

Owen loved his family and holiday gatherings with extended family. Before being confined to a wheelchair, Owen enjoyed playing golf, walking his dogs and traveling to the Black Hills during the summers. He loved hooking up the RV and hitting the road. His witty sense of humor and laid back attitude were gifts to all who knew him. He will be very missed.

Owen was preceded in death by his father, Edward Francis McDermott of Rapid City, SD. He is survived by his mother, Ruth McDermott of Rapid City, SD; his wife, Mary Ellen McDermott of Henderson, NV; daughter, Kelli Sue (Todd) Akes of Henderson, NV; son, Edward (Cindy) McDermott of Huntingtown, Maryland; grandchildren: Samuel McDermott and Hugh Wyatt Akes; brothers: Dennis McDermott of Las Vegas, Duane McDermott of Rapid City and Randy McDermott of Kansas City; sisters: Janet McDermott Brocklehurst of Henderson, NV, and Kristie Tays of Rapid City; and numerous nieces of nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, May 5 at 11:00 am at Kline Funeral Chapel in Belle Fourche. Interment will follow at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche.

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