James Albert Owen

April 11, 1926 - Dec. 18, 2018

92 years, 1 world war, 4 daughters and a dedicated Christian life.

Dad passed peacefully last night. He was born in Eugene, Oregon as the youngest son of Thomas Albert Owen who was the youngest son of Benjamin Franklin Owen, a pioneer who crossed the plains in 1853 in an ox drawn cart.

He joined the Navy Air Force 3 days before his 17th birthday and fought in the South Pacific during World War II as a gunner's mate. He met and married our Mom in Daytona Beach Florida during his navy training.

In his life, he worked at the plywood mill in Lyons, Oregon, ran the elevators at the Smith Tower, drove taxi, worked as a crossing guard and volunteered tirelessly at the Christian ministries serving Native Americans in Seattle.

He was in a horrific car accident in 1946 which resulted in a traumatic brain injury that left him cognitively impaired. But he set a goal to finish college and even though it took 27 years, he completed his Bachelor's in Bible Studies.

One of his goals was to be the oldest when he died and he made it! His mother, father, brother and sister all died in their late 80s. He was the only one to make it to 92 which I made sure he knew when I was with him yesterday. It was the one thing that made him smile.

He will be reunited with two of our sisters in heaven. One sister (Terri) died when she was 10 and I was 8. The other sister (Jodi) was killed in a car accident in 1986. I know he will love seeing them both, again!

There will be a viewing on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 10 am - 4 pm at Evergreen Washelli at 11111 Aurora Ave. North. Our family will be there from 10:30 - noon to welcome anyone who comes during that time.

Rest in peace, Honorable Dadsville!