John Owen

b. 29 August 1932, d. 8 January 2011
  • John Owen was born on 29 August 1932 in Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico.
  • John Owen died on 8 January 2011 at age 78.
  • The following was published online by the LaGrone Funeral Chapel: Memorial services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel for Johnny John Owen, age 78 who passed away January 8, 2011. Dr. Thomas Ramage will officiate.
         John was born on August 29, 1932 in Roswell, New Mexico to Omer and Ruthia Owen. They have both preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his brothers: Donald R. Owen and Dr. Oliver E. Owen.
         John married Ruth Warrer on October 7, 1970 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She survives him at the family home.
         John is survived by a son: David Michael Owen of Victoria, TX daughters: Debora K. Owen of Victoria, TX and Susan E. Owen of North Little Rock, AR grandchildren: Logan Rogers, Julie Alvarez, John D. Owen, Michael D. Owen, Megan Bull, Sheldon Bull, and Morgan Bull great grandchild: Cameron Roger sister inlaw: Paula Owen of Gladwyne, PA.
         John graduated from Roswell High School in 1950. While attending high school he became the State High School lightweight boxing champion and later the State Golden Glove lightweight boxing champion. He then advanced to the Semi finals in Chicago as the NM lightweight boxing champion in 1951 while attending NMMI on a scholarship obtained from the Roswell Sertoma Club. John graduated college in 1954 from NMMI with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
         John was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Armor Division. After basic armor training at Ft. Knox John was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia for Airborne training and became a paratrooper, Ft. McClelland, Alabama for Chemical Warfare training, Gary Air Force Base in San Marcos, TX for fixed wing flight training, and then graduated as a fixed wing pilot. He was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama and graduated from helicopter training. John was then assigned to Straubing, Germany.
         From 1956 to the early part of 1959 Johns primary duty in Germany was to patrol the Czechoslovakian border from Passau to Nuremberg during the Cold War period between the United States and Russia. While in Germany John obtained his commercial pilot ratings in single engine fixed wing, helicopter and instrument ratings prior to returning to the United States. John was discharged in New York on April 3, 1959.
         John returned to Roswell and joined the N.M. Army reserve, flying missions for and with the Reserve for approximately ten years, and was promoted to Captain during that time.
         John became a real estate broker, selling new homes for C.F. Smith construction Co. Later became partner with Charles F. Smith of C.F. Smith Construction Co., who had built approximately 600 homes over the years in Roswell. Upon the closing of Walker Air Force Base, Mr. Smith discontinued the construction of new homes. There was no longer a market for new homes as FHA and VA repossessions were piling up due to the closing of the 509th Bomb Wing of Walker Air Force Base, the missile sites shut down, the major oil companies and related businesses left Roswell along with many of their associates and employees.
         Roswells economy changed drastically, and the real estate office of John Owen, Inc. was formed. He became the President of the Roswell Board of Realtors in 1965. During his Board of Realtors presidency, he and Mayor Gail Harris assisted in the start up of Retire in Roswell program, along with VA and FHA for the handling of approximately 3, 000 foreclosures when Walker Air Force Base closed. The program helped Roswell to work itself out of this problem, and became known as a good example of what could be done by other cities having base closures.
         John Owen received The Realtor of the Year Award in 1984. He became the first Certified Commercial Investment Member CCIM in Roswell and has participated in residential and commercial properties, investments and partnerships for over 50 years. John and his wife, Ruth, primarily manage their own properties. They have enjoyed being in Ruidoso, mainly in the summer months, for over 20 years.
         John is a former member of Sertoma and Rotary International. He holds memberships in EAAExperimental Aircraft Association and has attended national EAA, Oshkosh, Wisconsin annual meetings, as well as other states EAA meetings.
         Memorials can be made to Roswell Assurance Home, 1000 E. 18th, Roswell, NM, National Arthritis Foundation, 5801 Osuna Ne, Ste A 108, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or the charity of your choice.
  • Last Edited: 9 Jul 2016