J. Owen Gilbreath

James Owen “Owen” Gilbreath, 98, passed away May 6, 2021, at home in Lubbock, Texas. Owen was born December 8, 1922, in Glen Rose, Texas. His family moved to the Ralls, Texas, area in 1923, and he grew up on a Crosby County farm. He graduated from Ralls High School in 1939. He graduated Texas Tech University in 1943 with a BA in Government. While at Tech he was a member of Wranglers Social Club which later became Alpha Tau Omega. While at Tech Owen met the love of his life, Francine Young. They married in 1945 and would have celebrated their 76th anniversary on June 9, 2021.

Upon graduating from Tech he joined his father-in-law’s seed business, R. C. Young Seed Co. He became president of the company in 1955. Under his leadership the company was among the first seed companies to commercialize hybrid sorghum in the late 1950’s. In 1978 the company was acquired by Agrigenetics Corporation and Owen continued to manage the R. C. Young division and served on the board of directors of Agrigenetics. He retired from the company in 1993.

During his tenure in the seed industry he was very involved in industry affairs. He served as president and was elected Honorary Life Member of the American Seed Trade Association, Southern Seedsmen’s Association and Texas Seed Trade Association. He was an Honorary Member of the American Society of Agronomy and received the Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturalist Award from Texas Tech’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Gilbreath always said that citizens should “pay their civic rent” and he exemplified this mantra. His community service included: Campaign Chairman and Board Chairman of Lubbock Area United Way, Trustee of Lubbock Independent School District Board, Chairman of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Foundation Board, Director of Lubbock Methodist Hospital Board, member of Texas Tech’s Chancellor’s Council, Director of High Plains Underground Water District, Director of Lubbock Country Club, and Past President of The Lubbock Club.

Owen received the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award for longtime philanthropy and community service and he and his family received the United Way’s Rita Harmon Community Service Award for Lifetime Community Service.

Owen and Francine enjoyed traveling around the world. He was a golfer with five holes-in-one and a “windshield farmer.” He served as an Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Owen was predeceased by his parents, C. O. and Jewel Gilbreath of Cone, Texas.

He is survived by brother, Bill Gilbreath of Lubbock; sister, Thelma Pierot of Ralls, Texas; children: Jim Gilbreath and his wife, Kathy, of Lubbock, and Kim, of Carmel, California; four grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The family would like to extend special thanks to Olga Torres, Maria Carmona, Kristi Macke and Hospice of Lubbock for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be at from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Resthaven Funeral Home.

Graveside will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Resthaven Memorial Park.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3321-33rd Street, Lubbock, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to Lubbock Area United Way Endowment, 1655 Main, Lubbock, TX 79401, Westminster Presbyterian Church Endowment, 3321 33rd Street, Lubbock, TX 79410, Hospice of Lubbock, Inc., 3702 21st Street, Lubbock, TX, 79410, or a favorite charity.

Please visit www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for online condolences.