John Thomas Owen III departed this life on July 9, 2018 at his home of 40 years in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
John is survived by his Wife, Clara Lou, of their home in Broken Arrow; Son, John and partner Ryan Donohue of New York, New York; Sister, Linda Ray and husband John of Broken Arrow; Brother, Russell Owen and wife Lynn of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Nephews, Wesley Ray, wife Toni and their children, Daniel Long and Lily Ray of Frisco, Texas and Lance Owen of Atlanta, Georgia; Nieces, Andrea Ray Sixkiller, husband Jesse and children, Sarah and Emery Sixkiller, of Broken Arrow; Stephanie Ray Sealy and husband Lance of Dallas, Texas and Katy Burford Buck, husband John and children, Lily and Molly Buck, of Rogers, Arkansas.
John was born in Heavener on November 6, 1942, to the late John Thomas Owen II and Vera Condreay Owen. He attended Heavener Schools, graduating in 1960. After high school, he attended Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, graduating with a B.S. in physics and chemistry. In 1966, he was accepted into Air Force Officers’ Training School. Upon completion, he served his country honorably during the Vietnam era.
During his working career, he was employed first by CE Natco and retired from a career as a Professor of Physics at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa in 2007. Throughout his teaching career, he was named Teacher of the Year many times and was beloved by his students and colleagues.
John married his high school sweetheart and the love and light of his life, Clara Lou Queen Owen. They had one child, John Thomas Owen, IV. John was a wonderful husband and father. He was extremely proud of his son. He and Clara Lou enjoyed almost 55 years of married life together.
John was a true gentleman. He was always kind, gentle, soft-spoken and respected by everyone who knew him. He loved fishing, hunting, supporting both OU and OSU teams, and working in his tomato garden. He loved and was loved as a son by his in-laws and cherished his relationship with his nieces, nephews and their children.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Heavener Memorial Park in Heavener, Oklahoma with Reverend Lisa Leigh Miller officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the University of Oklahoma Stephenson Cancer Center or to another cancer center of the donor’s preference.
Viewing will be from noon until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Thursday.
To sign John’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com
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