Carl Duane Owen

Carl D. Owen was born on November, 29th, 1934 in Lawton, Pennsylvania. He was commonly known as and went by his middle name Duane. He had 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Duane was raised on a farm in Rushville Pennsylvania where along with his brothers work the farm with his Father. Duane attended Rush High School and was very active in baseball as a 2nd baseman.

In 1954 Duane and Mary had their first date. Mary was a junior in high school and she was selling raffle tickets for a barn dance. She said she would go with him if he would by two tickets.

Mary and Duane’s courtship lasted 1 ½ years and then they decided to get married. They were married on May 27th, 1955 in Le Raysville, PA and went to the Grand Canyon in Wellsboro, PA for their honeymoon.

After their marriage, Duane and Mary moved in with Duane’s parents to run the family farm while his father worked in Philadelphia. That fall Duane went to work at a bigger farm and lived in a house on the farm. Mary went to work at a garment factory and then they moved to Endicott, New York and he worked at the Johnson Shoe Company. Mary and Duane bought their first house in Rush, PA for $2000.00 and that included a barbershop. They ended up renting it for $20 per month.

In 1956 there first son Jeff was born, their second son Randy was born in 1959.

In 1962 Duane’s older brother Keith returned from California and Duane decided to move out to California to follow him. Duane and Jeff stayed with Keith while Mary and Randy stayed back in PA to sell the house and furniture. In 1963 Mary and Randy flew out to California with only what they could carry on the plane.

Duane went to work for Crown-Zellerbach. Mary stayed home because she was expecting their 3rd child David who was born in 1963. Eventually Crown-Zellerbach began to shut down so in 1968 Duane followed one of his friends down to the Silicon Valley where they lived in an apartment. Duane went to work for Hewlett Packard.

In 1968 Duane and Mary became members of The First Presbyterian Church of Milpitas now called Christ Community Church, where they both served the Lord in many ways, from the Deacon’s Ministry, to Serving Meals to AIDS patients, and also served as an usher for many many years.

6 months after starting work at Hewlett Packard they moved to Milpitas where they bought a house. Duane and Mary lived in Milpitas till 2008 when Mary passed away. Duane continued to live in the house for 2 more years.

During their time in Milpitas, Duane managed Little League Baseball, he managed several teams to championships and managed several Little League All-star Teams, and one year came with in a run from advancing to the West Coast Regionals in San Bernardino. Duane loved baseball and managed both his sons Jeff & David. In 1972 the Milpitas Post did a write up “Owen Family Of Champions”. Randy was very active in horse showing and Duane was just as involved with that as he was baseball.Duane enjoyed spending time with his family where he would take his kids camping and to Oakland A’s baseball games. Mary and Duane held Oakland A’s Season Tickets, and Duane and Jeff had 49er and Shark Season Tickets, so Duane was a busy man attending various sporting events. Duane enjoyed attending all his grandkids sporting events.

Duane son Randy was very active in horse showing, he spent many miles on the road hauling Randy’s horse around to horse shows.

In May of 2010 Duane health began to take a toll on him and he moved into an Independent Senior Living Center and met new friends and enjoyed all the activities.

In May of 2012 Duane moved in with his oldest son and his wife Jeff & Yolanda. Duane lived a full and productive life, I can’t stress enough how much of a joy and pleasure it was for Yolanda and I to have our dad reside with us for his final 2 years, we got to know him, he was funny, caring and loving. We really enjoyed talking to him about his life and the history that took place and various sporting events that he witnessed in his life time.

Duane is survived by his Brothers Keith Owen, Paul Owen, Eleanor Anderson, Joyce Bennett. Sons Jeffrey Owen and wife Yolanda Owen, David Owen and wife Maria Gamulo-Owen. Grandchildren Jovanna Rivas, Sondra Owen, Gabrielle Owen, Matthew Owen, and Lukas Owen. Great-grandchildren Jessie Zenzen, Joseph Zenzen Lily Max Reuben Rivas, Ryan Rivas.

Predeceased his Son Randy Owen and Brother Ed Owen

Following this service, Duane’s family invites you to join them for a reception that will be held at Christ Community Church of Milpitas in the Social Hall at 1000 S. Park Victoria Drive in Milpitas. (Directions: Head Southeast on Warm Springs Blvd, towards Scott Creek Rd. Turn Left at Scott Creek Rd. Merge onto I-680 S via the ramp to San Jose. Exit onto Landess Ave/Montague Expy. Continue to follow Landess Ave. Turn left onto S. Park Victoria Dr. The Church will be on the right past the Luck Shopping Center. Christ Community Church 1000 S. Park Victoria Milpitas Ca.

Duane’s Family would like to thank you all for coming this afternoon. At a time like this it is your presence that expresses your respect for Duane and your love and care for his family.