Mr. Gerard Harry Owens

Gerard Harry (Jerry) Owens, 87 of Raleigh, died Monday August 12, 2013 at Rex Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 19, 1926 in Bronx, New York to George and Clara Owens. Jerry was preceded in death by his Wife, Betty Nov 2008 and his son Rod in August 1968 and his brothers George Owens and Joseph Owens.

Jerry was a graduate of James Monroe High School Bronx, New York class of 1943.

He served his country in two conflicts. He was very proud to have been part of the “Greatest Generation”. He was a paratrooper during the Second World War and served in I Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Parachute/Glider Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division. Deploying in April of 1945 and returning home in May of 1946. He obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant leading a light machine gun section. After his service in WWII, Jerry took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Centre College in Danville Kentucky and graduated in 1950. He was called back to active duty shortly after the start of the Korean War. He deployed to Korea in October 1951 as a 2nd Lieutenant leading a Platoon of M4A3E8 Sherman Tanks in the 89th Medium Tank Battalion. His platoon of tanks provided direct fire support for B Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment of the 25th “Tropical Lightning” Infantry Division. He returned home May 1952 after having obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He ultimately retired from the US Army after achieving the rank of Captain. Upon completion of his military service, Jerry started a long career in labor relations with Corning Glass Works moving from location to location until he finally settled in Raleigh NC in August of 1968. He worked for Corning for 40 years until his retirement in 1994. He was a lifelong sports fanatic. He loved all NC State Wolfpack sports, avidly followed the Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Braves and the New York Giants. But his first love was Boxing.

He is survived by his daughter Dee Marcoulides and her husband Michael; sons Edward Owens and his wife Tracy, Michael Owens and his wife Holly; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The grandchildren are Matt Freeman and Jenni Freeman of California; Bryan Owens, Jeff Owens, Karri Owens and Amy Owens of Raleigh; Kendal Owens and Paige Owens of Cary and Tyler Owens of Willow Springs. The great grandchildren are Kaitlyn Freeman of Ca. and Alice Owens of Willow Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Jerry Owens at:

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.