Obituary of Richard-Thomas Owens

OWENS, RICHARD THOMAS of Shelby County age 78 passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2012. He was predeceased by his parents Gladys L. Owens & Lt. Commander William J. Owens of Andalusia, AL and a brother Bill Owens. Mr. Owens was a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Owens attended the United States Naval Academy and received a medical discharge after 2 years. He then enrolled in the University of Alabama receiving a B.S. Degree in 1959 and enrolled in the University's Air Force ROTC program preparing him again for a military career. He served as Wing Commander his senior year, was a member of Scabbard and Blade, served as President of the Arnold Air Society and received the Distinguished Military Student award. When health issues again blocked this career, Mr. Owens entered the field of Education. He received his Master's Degree in Education from Samford University and completed further graduate work at the University of Alabama. He was a member of the Homewood Board of Education for 8 years and served as President and Chairman of that Board for its first 17 months of operation. Most of Mr. Owens' teaching career was with the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. He was a member of the original faculty and retired from that system as biology teacher at the high school in 1997. He initiated fund raising efforts from VHHS students to donate to the Post Herald's Good Fellow Fund for underprivileged children and was affectionately known to students as "Mr. Goodfellow." Mr. Owens was an avid supporter of VHHS sports filling in wherever needed as a coach, sponsor, or fan. He made sure everyone knew when Navy played Army and when Alabama played Auburn. Mr. Owens is survived by his wife of 56 years Frances Wilkes Owens, two daughters: Katherine Wells(Kenny) of Dothan, Karen Hand (Chris) of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren: Rachel Lewis and Hunter Lewis, Dothan; Frank Thomas Hand, Sewanee, TN; Coley Hand and Mary Margaret Hand, Tuscaloosa; niece, Adrian Mareno (Mario) Anaheim, CA; nephew, John Owens (Jayme); great niece, Jillian, great nephew, Justin, Tustin, CA; aunt: Frances Wright (Mickey) Panama City, FL; godchildren: Andrea Valentin, Samantha McBay, and Katherine McBay, San Antonio, TX. Funeral services will be held at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church on Thursday, June 28 with visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 1:15 p.m. at the Alabama National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Naval Academy Foundation, John Croyle's Big Oak Ranch, or Edgar Arendall Children's Center at Dawson Memorial. Special thanks to Clay, Claire, Michelle, Lucy and New Beacon Hospice for their loving care. >>