Gene Owen

Eugene Ellison Owen, Jr., age 64, an Alabaster, AL resident since 1993, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2015. He was born on January 18, 1951 in Jacksonville, FL. "Gene," nicknamed "Blindowl," was a loving husband and deeply devoted father.

He grew up in Jacksonville with a love of hunting, fishing, football, and surfing. Graduated from Terry Parker High School and attended Marion Military Institute, where he was a receiver for the Marion Tigers.

In 1973, Gene began working at Southern Bell (later to become BellSouth, then AT&T). He retired from AT&T in 2008, but continued to work with AT&T projects for Amdocs, Inc., approaching 42 years of service in October 2015.

Gene was a passionate sports fan of the University of Miami Hurricanes. His other hobbies included fishing, golf, playing XBOX with friends, playing the guitar, cooking and grilling, and vegetable gardening. He loved spending time with his dogs, Coco, Mia, and Cassie.

Gene was predeceased by his parents, Eugene E. Owen, Sr. and Dorothy Love Owen of Jacksonville; father-in-law, Bob Ostrander; father-in-law, Tom Allan; and sister, Cynthia Witcher.

Survivors include Gene's wife of 28 years, April Allan Owen, formerly of Atlanta, GA; children, Miranda Owen, Holly Owen, Erin Mills (Marquis), Shelly Owen, Laura Owen (fiancé, Stephen Eldred), and Hannah Owen; grandchildren, Blake and Ashton Owen, Ellison and Alexander Mills, and Christine and Katie David; mother-in-law, Hollie Ostrander; mother-in-law, Cathy Allan; siblings, Connie Hill (Brent), Hattie Hollingshead (Brian), Marilyn Gill (Bob), Cathy McClamma, Kent Owen (Francene), and Pamela Elcholz (Kenny); and brother-in-law, Gil Witcher.

Gene was loved by his huge family, including many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a big brother to many of his younger friends.

The family will greet friends at a Celebration Gathering from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL.