CMSGT JAMES OWEN U.S. Air Force, Retired James Alford Owen was born June 14, 1930 in Kalamazoo Mich. He married the love of his life, Verna Larsen, June 10, 1950. During the next 62 years, they raised three children, two sons Kenneth and Timothy, and a daughter, Laura. Jim entered into the U.S. Army at 17, at the end of World War II, and became a member of the U.S. Air Force when it first separated from the Army Air Corp. He served proudly for 20 years, retiring from the Air Force with many distinguishing honors, not the least becoming one of the original Chief Master Sergeants after the rank of E-9 was created. Shortly after retiring from his military service, he worked at Exxon Oil Refinery in Benicia, Calif. as a risk manager. Jim passed quietly at home Thursday morning, Aug. 16, 2012, after a return of the cancer. In addition to his three children, Jim is survived by nine grandchildren; and 14 great- grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89123.
