James Oral Owens, 76, of Festus died March 17, 2023. Mr. Owens was a lifelong member of Central Christian Church and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 2, achieving the rank of Star Scout. Born Nov. 24, 1946, in Enid, Okla., he was the son of the late Harold Leslie and Bette Maxine (Osburn) Owens. He played trumpet in the band, served as quartermaster, and was active in other activities at Enid High School, graduating in 1964. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he enrolled in ROTC. In 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and military police training at Fort Gordon, Ga. He deployed to Sinop, Turkey for 14 months with the Army Security Agency and was subsequently assigned to Vint Hill Farms, Va., before being honorably discharged from the Army in 1970 at the rank of staff sargeant. He enrolled at Phillips University and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1973. In June 1973, he went to work for Southwestern Bell in Enid, Okla., as a management trainee. He became a business office supervisor in Enid, a manager of Chickasha, Okla., data base administrator at corporate headquarters in St. Louis, residential accounts service center manager in Oklahoma City, and community relations manager in Norman, Okla. and Shawnee, Okla., before retiring in May 1999. He was security assistant manager for the Chickasaw Nation at Winstar Casino and Madill Casino from 2009-2015. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and playing golf.
He is survived by his wife: Pat (Stauss) Owens, whom he married in April 1982; three children: Laura Painter of Enid, Okla., Carrie Cottone of Mandeville, La., and Brian (Debbie) Self of Oklahoma City; a sister: Jane Ann (Thomas) Wellman of Lago Vista, Texas; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by twin brothers: Larry and Leslie Owens.
A graveside memorial service with full military honors will take place at a later date in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church or Hospice Circle of Love. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.