Obituary for Harold "Whitey" E. Owens Jr.
Harold E. "Whitey" Owens Jr., age 84, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away Monday, January 24, 2022 in the comfort of his own home.
He was born January 31, 1937, in Jefferson City, the son of Harold E. Sr. and Dorothy L. (Pierson) Owens.
He was married September 3, 1962, in Miami, Oklahoma, to Judy C. Fox, who preceded him in death on November 18, 2020.
A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Whitey was a graduate of Jefferson City High School. In July, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Avia Machinists Mate, Turbo Engine Jet Mechanic, until his honorable discharge in May, 1959. Whitey had many stories that he loved to share proudly about his service in the Navy.
After his service in the Navy, Whitey was employed by the Jefferson City News Tribune as a photographer. He was later employed by the Missouri Division of Commerce and Industrial Development for over six years as a photographer for The Harbinger magazine, where he traveled, often with his wife and three daughters, taking pictures all over the state of Missouri. On November 8, 1974, he began employment with the Missouri Senate as a photographer where he remained employed for 26 years until his retirement on July 1, 2001.
Of all the things he did in his life, his proudest moments were the ones spent with his family. As the father of three daughters, his patience was definitely proven. He was always there, no matter what the circumstances. He'd come to the rescue whenever needed, servicing broken down cars, shorted out vacuum cleaners, failing appliances; you name it, he could fix it. He truly knew how to make his family feel like they were the richest in the world. Along with his nickname of Whitey, many have probably heard him referred to as Monkey, a nickname proudly given to him by his grandchildren.
Whitey enjoyed bowling and spent many years bowling with his team of friends sponsored by B&W Battery and Auto Repair. If you'd ever see him out and about, you'd notice he never went anywhere without his green B&W ball cap. He treasured his time spent with the team and bowling nights truly put a smile on his face and a spring in his step. He also enjoyed golfing, playing the lottery, and trips to the casino.
Whitey is survived by his three daughters, Tawney Lynne Owens Laucks, Tasha Layne Owens and Tami Lea Owens Ramelb, all of Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Christopher Burns (Brittany), Tyler Schanuth, Colter Laucks (Krystal), Caysee Temmen, Owen Ramelb and Sam Ramelb, all of Jefferson City; Callie Laucks (Cam), of Columbia; and four great-grandchildren, Kaydee Crabtree, Jaxton Burns, Jettson Jones, and Luna Laucks. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Joan Davies, of Nixa and brother-in-law Sidney E. "Gene" Fox Jr., of Eldon along with their children who proudly called him "Uncle Whitey".
He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, Elra Hayden.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Freeman Mortuary. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation following social distancing guidelines.
A private funeral service will be held in the Freeman Chapel with Reverend Melissa Hatfield officiating. A private graveside service with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday for friends and family not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gurucharri Foundation, https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/N3C2CzpAG6CkrPRh47BsC?domain=docg.org
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
He was born January 31, 1937, in Jefferson City, the son of Harold E. Sr. and Dorothy L. (Pierson) Owens.
He was married September 3, 1962, in Miami, Oklahoma, to Judy C. Fox, who preceded him in death on November 18, 2020.
A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Whitey was a graduate of Jefferson City High School. In July, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Avia Machinists Mate, Turbo Engine Jet Mechanic, until his honorable discharge in May, 1959. Whitey had many stories that he loved to share proudly about his service in the Navy.
After his service in the Navy, Whitey was employed by the Jefferson City News Tribune as a photographer. He was later employed by the Missouri Division of Commerce and Industrial Development for over six years as a photographer for The Harbinger magazine, where he traveled, often with his wife and three daughters, taking pictures all over the state of Missouri. On November 8, 1974, he began employment with the Missouri Senate as a photographer where he remained employed for 26 years until his retirement on July 1, 2001.
Of all the things he did in his life, his proudest moments were the ones spent with his family. As the father of three daughters, his patience was definitely proven. He was always there, no matter what the circumstances. He'd come to the rescue whenever needed, servicing broken down cars, shorted out vacuum cleaners, failing appliances; you name it, he could fix it. He truly knew how to make his family feel like they were the richest in the world. Along with his nickname of Whitey, many have probably heard him referred to as Monkey, a nickname proudly given to him by his grandchildren.
Whitey enjoyed bowling and spent many years bowling with his team of friends sponsored by B&W Battery and Auto Repair. If you'd ever see him out and about, you'd notice he never went anywhere without his green B&W ball cap. He treasured his time spent with the team and bowling nights truly put a smile on his face and a spring in his step. He also enjoyed golfing, playing the lottery, and trips to the casino.
Whitey is survived by his three daughters, Tawney Lynne Owens Laucks, Tasha Layne Owens and Tami Lea Owens Ramelb, all of Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Christopher Burns (Brittany), Tyler Schanuth, Colter Laucks (Krystal), Caysee Temmen, Owen Ramelb and Sam Ramelb, all of Jefferson City; Callie Laucks (Cam), of Columbia; and four great-grandchildren, Kaydee Crabtree, Jaxton Burns, Jettson Jones, and Luna Laucks. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Joan Davies, of Nixa and brother-in-law Sidney E. "Gene" Fox Jr., of Eldon along with their children who proudly called him "Uncle Whitey".
He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father, Elra Hayden.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Freeman Mortuary. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation following social distancing guidelines.
A private funeral service will be held in the Freeman Chapel with Reverend Melissa Hatfield officiating. A private graveside service with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday for friends and family not able to attend by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gurucharri Foundation, https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/N3C2CzpAG6CkrPRh47BsC?domain=docg.org
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.