Rufus Dalton Owens

Rufus Dalton Owens was the son of the late Chalmus and Pearl Brown Owens and was born and raised in Pitt County, NC. Following a brief illness, he died on February 2, 2018 in Rex Hospital. Graduating from Rose High School he continued his love of science and entered East Carolina College earning a BS in Chemistry. He received a PhD in physical chemistry from Duke University in 1972. During a summer program at Duke, he met Carolyn Gostin. The following year they were married on June 10, 1972 and made their home in Raleigh.

Rufus was a high school chemistry teacher throughout his life. He taught at North Carolina School of Science and Math, Sanderson High School and at both Ligon and Broughton High Schools in addition to chemistry, he was the wrestling coach. As a young adult he developed an interest in woodworking and became very adept at crafting furniture. Rufus loved music and was a self-taught musician who mastered a keyboard instrument, the harmonica, and for several years enjoyed singing in the choir at The Church of the Good Shepherd of which he was a member.

Upon his retirement from teaching he volunteered at Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen and Meals on Wheels. Always a raconteur, Rufus enjoyed people and getting to know new people, especially new friends when Rufus and Carolyn moved from their long-time home to Springmoor in 2013.

Survivors include his wife Carolyn and their son Timothy Allen Owens (Patricia) of Fayetteville; sister, Grace Wilem of Knightdale and brother Wilbur Owens of Swansboro.

The funeral will be held on Sunday February 11th at 2 pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd 125 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603; Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen 125 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603; Springmoor Endowment Fund 1500 Sawmill Drive Raleigh, NC 27615.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, St. Mary's Street, Raleigh.