Carl Ownbey

Carl Ownbey, 89, of Fayetteville, Arkansas died Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born in Springdale, Arkansas on August 7, 1921, the son of Carl and Beulah Jones Ownbey of Springdale, Arkansas. He was a descendant of early Washington County settlers and a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Coast Guard. He graduated from Kemper Military Academy and Fayetteville Business College. Carl's love for the outdoors was exhibited in his backpacking as a thru-hiker of the entire 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide, and much of the Pacific Crest Trail. He was a founding member of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, where he was known by the trail name "Wildman." He was active in the building and maintaining of the Ozark Highlands Trail for which he received numerous volunteer awards. Carl's passion for fitness and nutrition was exhibited through running, bicycling, canoeing, and cross country snow skiing. He was a long time member of the Fayetteville Rotary Club, Central United Methodist Church, the Ozark Society, the Arkansas Poultry Federation, and the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association. Carl's wife of 42 years was Mary Gale Booth Ownbey of Des Arc, Arkansas. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Kathy Ownbey of Hot Springs, Arkansas; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Charline and Bill Wilkins of Conroe, Texas and Carol Louise and John Mitchell of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his companion of 20 years, Mary Poyner Chodrick and her family of Fayetteville, Arkansas. A memorial worship service, officiated by his son Reverend Carl Ownbey Jr., was held Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was interred at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, Carl requested memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church, 6 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701, and Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762.