Ronald Knight Owen

Ronald “Ron” Knight Owen, age 82, born in Cullman, Alabama, and a long-time resident of the Jacksonville area passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015. He was one of eight children, born to the late Verbon Elliot and Callie Mae Knight Owen. Of the eight children there are two surviving siblings, Arnold Owen (Sue) of Azle, Texas, and Brenda Weddel (Ron) of Bellingham, Washington.

During Ron’s high school years at Cullman High School, he was very active in sports and served as captain of the 1950 football team. He later received a baseball scholarship to St. Bernard College in Cullman. Following, Ron graduated from Auburn University where his love of sports continued in his avid devotion to the Auburn “Tigers.” He later served as founding member and president of the Jacksonville Auburn Club. Majoring in journalism while at Auburn, he became editor of the student newspaper, The Plainsman, and a campus correspondent for the Montgomery Advertiser and Birmingham News. He was also a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Ron was a member of two men’s honoraries, Spades and Omicron Delta Kappa and served as president of Sigma Pi social fraternity. On graduation from Auburn, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Ron was employed by General Dynamics, IBM, and Rich’s in Atlanta. After relocating to Jacksonville, Florida, he was IT Director for National Merchandise Company for over 20 years and later worked for Oscar G. Carlstedt Company, also of Jacksonville. In retirement, Ron continued his journalistic skills as a freelance writer for the Florida Times Union and other local publications which provided a source for, among other topics, writing about his fascination with Florida wild life.

More importantly, Ron joined the Good Hope Baptist Church as a young child in Alabama. As he grew into adulthood, he continued to grow in his Christian faith. In 1971 he became a member of the Southside United Methodist Church, Asbury Class, and served on the Board of Trustees of this church. He later became a faithful follower of Family Bible Church on Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra. Ron had a sincere love of people and was a loyal friend to many.

Ron is survived by his devoted wife, Barbra Ann Owen, and two children, Jeffery Alan Owen and Paige Anita Woodall. Other survivors include two step children, Elizabeth Bates and Sheldon McDonald and five step grandchildren, all of Jacksonville. He is predeceased by his wife Carole Anita Owen and his son, Mark Ronald Owen.

The family will have visitation/reception on Friday, June 19, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00pm at Hardage Giddens, The Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 11:00am at The Oaklawn Chapel and interment services will follow for the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Family Bible Church, 4760 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida 32082 or any charity of choice.

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.