Eugene "Gene" H. Owen

Eugene (Gene) Hamilton Owen, 91, surrounded by loving family, passed away peacefully at his home on January 29, 2021. Born October 1, 1929, Gene grew up in Covington, Tennessee, a small town he credited with having helped form his character; there he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and an NROTC college scholarship. Gene was a summa cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Engineering and a 1990 graduate of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program. Gene proudly served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953. In 1953, he came to Baton Rouge and began his professional career as a project engineer at the Esso Refinery. In 1956, he founded an engineering firm, Owen and White, Inc., through which he brought water treatment systems to communities all over the southeast.

Gene began his association with Baton Rouge Water Company as a director in 1978, and later served as chairman, president, and CEO of Utility Holdings, Inc., Baton Rouge Water Company, and Louisiana Water Company. Gene had the love, respect, and admiration of all those he worked with in the community and those in his employ, a reflection of the true appreciation and respect he held for those around him, regardless of differences in background or experience.

Caring, generous and industrious, Gene served his church and community throughout his lifetime. He was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge, serving tirelessly on its session and various foundations. He was instrumental in founding the Catholic-Presbyterian Apartments for low income residents and was a director there for many years.

Gene left Baton Rouge a better place to live, having served on the boards of countless civic organizations throughout his life. Just a few of those closest to his heart were Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation (now The Emerge Center), Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Arts and Science Center, Community Fund for the Arts, and Council for a Better Louisiana.

Gene also served on the board of directors of numerous other institutions, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Committee of Visitors, National Association of Water Companies, Gulf South Research Institute, Entergy Corporation, Louisiana National Bank, Premier Bank and Iberia Bank.

In his early days at Owen and White, Gene earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying well into his eighties, thus becoming a member of the United Flying Octogenarians. He logged over 10,000 hours and, in 2010, received the FAA’s Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” award given to pilots who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for over 50 years.

Preceded in death by his parents, Hays and Lina Owen, brother Hays Owen, sister Claudia Puryear, and daughter Elizabeth Owen, Gene is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara Cherry Owen; daughter, Eleanor and her husband, Patrick Kerr; son, Hays Owen and his wife, Celia, and grandchildren: Colleen and Caroline Kerr, Meghan Owen Doyle, and Lane, Noah and Sydney Owen. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Baton Rouge for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s memory can be made to The Emerge Center or Baton Rouge Gallery, local organizations close to the hearts of Gene and his family.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 5, 11a.m., at First Presbyterian Church on North Boulevard. Private interment will follow. Due to Covid restrictions, no visitation will be held.