Patricia Melick Owen

On Saturday, July 23rd, 2016, Patricia Melick Owen, was called home by our Creator and Almighty Father. There to greet her into Heaven was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, followed by her beloved husband Sammy. Beyond that was a legion of dear friends and family. Known to most of her close friends as “Sister”, she loved greatly, and was greatly loved. But to her family, she was simply “Mom”. Her sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren all had special and unique relationships with her and everyone could make the claim, “I was her favorite”. Mom had style, class, beauty, grace, charm and a special “southern-style sass” that made her a true Texas original. She was one of the great ladies of that by-gone era, the Greatest Generation and as such, was a woman of immense pride who never, ever complained. Mom possessed a joyful spirit and a steely resolve that allowed her to always, always see the positive side of everything. But the two things that defined her most were her fierce devotion to her family and, to a close circle of friends that she had known since grade school.

Mom was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 29th, 1929 to Louise and Ernest F. Melick and she had one sister, Darlene Melick Davidson. The family later moved to Dallas and settled in the Park Cities. She and Darlene were best friends all of their lives and both were the apple of their daddy’s eye. Mom attended University Park Elementary and was a Highland Park High School graduate. She attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia and Southern Methodist University. It was at SMU that she met the love of her life, Sammy Owen. They were married shortly after graduation and were together for 60 years until Sammy’s death in 2013. Sister and Sammy had four boys and raised them to be gentlemen and modeled daily what a Christian marriage should be. Sister and Sammy lived a wonderful life full of love, laughter, family, faith and countless friends. They were fortunate to travel the world together cruising in style on elegant tall ships and river barges. She never missed a game or performance by any of her children and was always there with love and support. Mom was a member of the “darling” Kappa Alpha Thetas, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, an HP Alumni Golden Scot, the Cotillion Club, many supper clubs and the iconic, IWW for R&R (Independently Wealthy Women for Rest & Relaxation) that was created, tongue-in-cheek, after she and friends failed to beat the stock market with an Investment Club. Mom never met a tradition she could not embrace and holidays were always celebrated in grand style. Birthdays were cherished and there was always a reason to celebrate something at Café Pacific. But no tradition was more sacred to her than “Family Dinner” where any family member available could meet at Mom and Pops’ home on Wednesday evenings for cocktails, and then it was off to one of the family favorites, El Fenix, Amore, Cisco Grill or Prego Pasta House. Family Dinner was a treasured time for everyone in the family and a tradition that has lasted for decades. Mom lived life to fullest and never took anything for granted. She loved her family unconditionally and with life in general she was “well pleased”. Her loving spirit will live on in the hearts of all those she touched and we can all rest assured that, “everything will be just fine”. We love you Mom and we will miss you dearly.

Patricia Melick Owen is survived her sister, Darlene Melick Davidson, son David and his wife Manette, son Lee and his wife Debbie, son John and his wife Karen, and son Michael. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband James Reid, Julie and her husband David Meyer, Matthew and his wife Marissa, Sayers, Whitten, Avery, step-grandchildren Russ Allton and Emily Allton, and great-grandchildren Walt and Alice Meyer, Jacob Reid and another one on the way for Jennifer and James.

The family would like to acknowledge and is forever grateful for the blessing of caregivers Patti Kownslar and Styrla Eubank, who provided Mom with loving care and wonderful companionship during her final years.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Mom will be held Thursday, July 28th at 10am at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75230. A private inurnment will follow at the church columbarium at a later date.

n lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer (www.claytondabney.org) , 6500 Greenville Ave. #342, Dallas, TX 75206 or Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (www.phpc.org) , 9800 Preston Rd. Dallas, TX 75230. Online condolences can be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest .com.