Roll Call Tribute

Jack D. Owen 

June 21, 1926 - May 22, 2024 

Jack D. Owen, age 97, died peacefully on Wednesday, the 22nd of May 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Jack was born in Lufkin, Texas to Hoy and Freddie Owen on the 21st of June 1926. With his family he moved to Tennessee Colony, Texas when he was a young child. Jack attended Texas A&M University for a year after high school and then joined the Navy after turning 18 in 1944. Jack was a member of the commissioning crew of the USS Colusa, an attack transport ship. After the war, he returned to A&M and became a proud graduate of the Class of 1947.

After graduating from A&M, Jack went to work with his father and brother, Eugene, in Houston, Texas at O & M Manufacturing Company. Jack later became President of the company before he retired. In retirement, he enjoyed his lifelong love of reading, traveling, fishing, and hunting. He was an avid member and strong supporter of the Downtown Houston Rotary. During his time with the Rotary, Jack was instrumental in the administration of scholarships for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He was a strong believer in the power of furthering your education.

Jack’s beloved wife, Ann, predeceased him in 2017. He is survived by his two daughters, Kathy Ashmore and her husband Al Ashmore, and Nancy Weathers and her husband Gary Weathers. He is also survived by his twin sister, Celia Smith of Palestine, Texas. Jack was blessed with 4 grandchildren, Reed Weathers and his wife Tasha, Lauren Lunka and her husband Derek, Ryan Ashmore and his wife Traci, and Garrett Ashmore and his wife Kelli; ten great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews further blessed Jack.

Jack will be missed and always remembered by all who knew him. His family would like to express thanks to his devoted fishing friends who loved him. We also would like to thank his faithful caregiver, Cindy Camacho. Special thanks also to his nieces, Vicky Herrmann, and Kathy Durst for their untiring care during Jack’s final days.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Jack from one o’clock until three o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 30th of May 2024, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

At a later date, the family will gather for a private interment at the Tennessee Colony Community Cemetery in Anderson County, Texas.

In lieu of customary remembrances contributions may be made in Jack's memory to the American Cancer Society or to the Wounded Warrior Project.