Franklin Marion Owens Jr

Franklin Marion Owens, Jr. Born 25-Aug-1931 in Yuma, Arizona. Died 26-Dec-2016 in Central Point, Oregon. Frank was the fifth of nine siblings, children of Franklin Marion Owens of Illinois and Leona Beulah Province of Arkansas. Their children, in order of birth, were: Hazel, Howard, Myrtle, Jewel (Jim), Frank Jr, Lois, Floyd, Kenneth, and David. Frank was raised in a modest home in Phoenix, AZ, and attended Murphy School there through at least eighth grade. Frank joined the Air Force in 1950, graduating from the 3750th Technical Training Group at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas on 24-Nov of that year under Colonel Charles D Jones and Lieutenant Colonel Harold F Layhee, Commanding Officers. Frank was stationed at Chanute Air Base in Illinois and later in Okinawa repairing prop engines during the Korean War. Frank was honorably discharged in July 1953 with three medals for Good Conduct, Korean Service, and United Nations Service. Next Frank completed his delayed education as he was awarded a Diploma of Graduation from the Oakland Adult High School in June 1958. Frank established his career when he earned his Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship as a Plumber in February 1960. The City of San Jose, California hired Frank as a Plumbing Inspector in June 1967 and was promoted to Senior Plumbing Inspector in May 1974. Frank finally retired from the City of San Jose as a Supervising Pluming & Mechanical Inspector in April 1992. Through those years Frank also managed to help raise a family of two children, Donna and Todd Owens. Frank also became an accomplished Square and Round Dancer, making many good friends along the way. Hunting and fishing were two other strong interests, and he purchased a property in the Twain Hart area for hunting. During the 1990’s via Square Dancing, Frank met Diana Sorensen, the love of his life. They spent several years together traveling in his motor home and enjoying their time together. After Diana passed away in January 1996, Frank began looking for the next place to live out his life and chose a home with a view of a beautiful lake in the lovely city of Grants Pass, Oregon. Frank quickly made many friends such as Rocky and Tina Wales and their daughter Trisha and played in many card games, and he continued to travel with a companion Ellen Price for some time. Frank successfully lived with diabetes for many years, but finally succumbed to advanced prostate cancer that had spread to his bones making him unable to walk the last few weeks of his life. Frank finally passed peacefully and comfortably in his sleep at a friend’s home in the Medford, OR area at the ripe age of 85. Frank will be remembered for his friendly demeanor and up-beat personality as a helpful family man. He will be missed by many.