Obituaries

Wayne L. Owen

Photo of Wayne L. Owen
Wayne L. Owen, 87, of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Mr. Owen was born June 20, 1925 in Grady, the son of the late V. O. and Eula Thompson Owen. Mr. Owen was reared and educated in White Hall, graduating from White Hall High School. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Marine Corps in 1943. He trained in Hawaii for Kyle's Landing on Saipan. When this mission was canceled due to the excessive danger, his Company joined with the frontal assault on Saipan. He also served on Tinian, and was among the first Marines to enter Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bomb. Mr. Owen earned his honorable discharge in January of 1946. He was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church. Mr. Owen owned and operated Owen's Frozen Foods with his family from 1946 until his retirement in 1991. He was well known in the meat processing industry, as a member of the National Meat and Locker Processor Association and helped organize the first Arkansas Meat and Locker Processor Association. Mr. Owen served in many capacities at both the national and state level for 30 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marjorie Gilbert; two brothers, Dr. Billy Haynes Owen and Dr. Maurice Owen. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Brewster Owen, whom he married March 2, 1946 in Pine Bluff; daughters, Linda (Ted) McNulty of Sherrill and Barbara Ann (Bob) Hollis of Pine Bluff; son, Wayne (Mellie Jo) L. Owen, Jr. of Monticello; sister, Tricia Owen King of Richmond, Texas; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend Pam Estes officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorials may take the form of contributions to Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 Olive Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601 or the donor's favorite charity. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published May 24, 2013

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