James "Jack" Earl Owen

Jack was born in Dudley, Texas on August 18, 1938 to Johnie and Mamie Owen. In his early childhood he lived in Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon before moving to the Visalia area. He attended elementary school in Farmersville, and graduated from Mt. Whitney High School, C.O.S., and Fresno State. Jack married Janice Noel of Lindsay, CA in 1971. After a variety of other jobs, Jack found his career calling as a school bus driver for special needs children and it made him happy and fulfilled for upwards of 20 years.

Jack had many hobbies and interest like: painting, hiking, photography, writing stories, swimming in the Kaweah River, and looking for pictographs on Rocky Hill and other places. He was an avid backyard astronomer who built a telescope in high school and reworked it many times over the years, and then built a new big telescope in 1994. His first car, Susie, a red 1963 Corvair Spyder was his pride and joy and he kept it running almost his whole life. A year ago he discovered how much fun it was to attend Rawhide baseball games and was looking forward to a new season soon.

Jack is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janice and son Juan; his brother Richard and wife, Donna; his sister Della DeArman; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He is also survived by honorary grandchildren, Alicia, Adrian, Nathaniel; and their mother Daniela Montoya. His sisters Pearl Horrocks and Mary Lou Steward preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 4 - 6 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia, CA.

Memorial service will be held Monday, January 27, 2014 at 11 A.M. at Visalia Community Covenant Church, 315 N. Conyer St. in Visalia, CA.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.