James “Jim” Newell Owens

Jim was born in Parsons, KS, to Edward Ames and Mary Newell Owens, the fifth of six children.  He grew up in the First Christian Church. His family moved to Vinita, OK, in 1957, then to Bentonville, AR, in 1961. He graduated from Bentonville High School with the Class of 1964 and attended the University of Arkansas for three years before he was called to service in the United States Army.  He served in Vietnam as helicopter maintenance E5 for two years.

While on leave from the service, he met his friend John's cousin, April Taormina.  After his military service, he married April on September 25, 1971, and moved his city girl to the Midwest.  Shawnee, KS, has been their home for 45 years. To celebrate their anniversary last fall, he said, "After 47 years, 49 States, 13-14 countries and a few islands on 4 continents, it has been a good ride. So hold on honey, because it is not over.  Happy Anniversary." Instead, at 73 years of age, he died unexpectedly after undergoing abdominal aortic surgery. April survives and their home will continue to be open to family and friends for special occasions and just being together.

During college, Jim worked for the National Forest Service as a firefighter.  His training at his parents' Dari-O-Drive-In served him well in a future job with Zarda Dairy.  He then went on to work for Express Scale parts and, finally, as an electrical technician for Offset Electrical where he traveled the world.

He loved the opportunities to be involved with his sons and grandchildren.  He coached both of his boys' youth soccer teams and also coached his grandson's baseball team for a few seasons before retiring as an avid Eagles baseball fan.  For himself, playing softball was a lifetime sport and he was looking forward to the approaching summer season. He and Shawnee Mission Lake became "best friends" as he fished throughout the year.  Seasonal hunts to western Kansas always brought a smile to his face. His garden was a source of pride with tomatoes and fresh vegetables for family and friends. He and April rarely missed watching KU basketball and enjoyed many cruises and road trips together.

In addition to his wife, survivors include sons, Michael (Tammy) of Overland Park, KS, and Joshua (Catherine) of Shawnee, KS;  grandchildren, Grace and Connor of Overland Park, KS; sisters, Mary Catherine (Charles) Brown of Parsons, KS, and Peggy (Lou) DaHarb  of Longmont, CO; brothers, Tom (Sherron) of Kansas City ,MO, and Fred (Rhonda) of Jenks, OK; Sister-in-law, Phyllis Siniscalchi of Mesa, AZ ;  and brothers-in-law, Joe Taormina of Benicia, CA, and Dominick (Rosemary) Taormina of Albuquerque, NM, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A sister, Nancy Sue Threet and brother-in-law Joe Siniscalchi preceded him in death.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 15, 2019, 6:00-8:00pm at Amos Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS.

Burial will take place Thursday, May 16, 2019, 11:00am in Resurrection Cemetery at 83rd Street and Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS.

The family suggests memorials to Johnson County Parks and Recreation at www.jcprdfoundation.org.