John Ray "Johnny" Owens

John was born March 20th, 1942, in Brodhead, Kentucky to Robert & Locie Owens. He grew up in Danville, KY, where he spent his days at the local swimming pool, and becoming an early entrepreneur with his life-long friend, Harold Young, by means of a paper route. He was one of twelve siblings and they were all very close.

John met his match in 1962 when he met Wilma. They dated only six months before marrying. Their marriage survived trying times — the Vietnam War; many moves, career changes, financial hardships, sacrifices, and things we will never know — but through it all — after 64+ years — they showed us and all who knew them that in the end, only love remains!

They had to wait almost 14 years for the miracle that was their first born — a fiery, feisty and chunky 10 lb girl named Karen that John affectionately and appropriately nicknamed “The Bulldog”; because anytime he wanted something handled, he put her on the case.

A few years later, John finally got the son he always wanted — John David — as he is forever known to all friends and family. John was so proud of his boy! He began mentoring him at a very young age on the plumbing truck and would eventually retire and hand the business over to him. But not a day went by that he didn’t say “boy, I wish I could still ride around with him.”

John’s family were such an important part of his life — family reunions, Sunday afternoon drives to visit brothers and sisters back in Danville (with obligatory stops to Burke’s Bakery) — these were all part of his cherished heritage.

John is a proud retired master plumber, who started his own successful plumbing company in 1979 from the ground up.

He spent 3 years in the Army & retired as an E5 Sergeant & is a proud Vietnam Veteran. You would rarely see him without his Veteran’s hat.

Before his illness, he loved attending church and small group with his good friends at Gracepointe Baptist Church.

Close friends that were always considered family were always around: weekly Saturday night Rook card games with the Wooley’s, many cherished camping trips in the Smoky Mountains and Lake Cumberland were something we treasured. Adventures to whatever cabins, rental homes and mobile homes built into the sides of mountains that Ginny Thacker and Wilma came up with yearly for our families – well, he went right along with that, too – he and his camcorder, narrating all our hikes and adventures.

Most of all, we will remember his love of music. His deep singing voice from the end of the row or pew on a Sunday as he worshiped. Whistling in the early morning hours – though it may have driven us all crazy when we just wanted to sleep in, we will miss it immensely.

He was preceded in death by, His father, Robert Owens; His mother, Locie (Payne) Owens; His brothers, Dave, June, Doug, Richard & Bill Owens; His sisters, Dorothy Parrott, Colleen Hopkins, Lucy Kirkpatrick, Bernice Owens, Nina Owens; and (unnamed baby Owens).

He leaves to cherish his memory his Wife, Wilma, Children, Karen (Craig) & John David (Sarah); Grandchildren, Savannah Payne, Brooke Payne & Max Payne; And a host of cherished nieces, nephews and friends that are more like family.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Advantage Funeral Home - Hardy Chapel. Johnny will be laid to rest in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, Kentucky

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. and then again on Thursday, October 22, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. until the Funeral Hour of 12:00 p.m. also at the Advantage Funeral Home - Hardy Chapel.

Arrangements are under the direction of Advantage Funeral Home - Hardy Chapel, "Where Personal And Sincere Service Is Tradition."