Clarence "Andy" L. Owen

Owen, Clarence LaVerne (Andy), 97, passed away June 8th, 2014. He was born the eldest son of John and Emma Clara (Kuehn) Owen in Nashville, KS, where he would grow up. He was a wheat farmer who worked alongside his father. He loved playing catcher for the local baseball team in his spare time breaking many fingers. He married Virginia M. Bolin on June 24th 1939 and they moved to Hutchinson, KS, where they would own and operate a bus company. He purchased an OX5 Swallow bi-plane and taught himself to fly at the age of 18. When WWII broke out, he joined the Civil Air Patrol flying out of Salina, KS. After he left the Patrol, he and his family moved to Wichita. He drove for the Continental Trailway Bus Co. Later in his life he would own and operate many businesses: a milk route delivering to Steffans, a candy and tobacco route where he would be known as “Candy Andy”, drove a school bus, owned a liquor store, and drove for the American Red Cross where he was a regular donor. He was a caring and giving man, never met a stranger, always greeted you with a smile, and was fondly known and loved by his friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Owen; children, Anne (Jeff) of Osawatomie, Richard (Denise) of Wichita, and Jody (Gary) Lien, of Wichita; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice or the Church.