On Monday, August 2, 2020, Donnie Owens, loving husband and father of three, passed away at age 83 in Dallas, Texas after a month-long battle with COVID-19.
Mr. Owens was born on 1/6/1937 in Madill, Okla. to parents Edgar Patrick and Gwendolyn Reese Owens. The oldest of three children, Mr. Owens was raised on a farm in Madill, Okla. and graduated from Kingston High School in 1955.
Mr. Owens’ love of music and band began in first grade. Influenced by his high school band director, he decided to pursue a lifelong career in music education. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1960, then earned his Master’s in Music Education degree at North Texas State University in 1967.
During his career as a music educator, Mr. Owens taught in Antlers, Okla.; Junction City, Kan.; Durant, Okla., and Texas schools located in Dickinson, Arlington, Pearland, Fort Bend, Texas City, and Waxahachie. His junior high and high school band programs consistently won numerous local and state championships.
Although Mr. Owens was well known for his work ethic, teaching efforts, and the success of his music programs, his proudest achievement was his 62-year marriage to the love of his life, Margie. His proudest professional achievement was his impact on the personal lives of generations of band students through life lessons that transcended the classroom, including hard work, perseverance, teamwork, courage, and punctuality.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Patrick and Gwendolyn Reese Owens, and is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret Ann Owens, children Julie Bryant, Stephen and Keri and David and Grace Owens, grandchildren Reilly, Sydney, Emily, Avery, Audrey, and Cassidy Owens, sister Theresa and Paul Cutter and brother Paul Owens.
Services provided by Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie, Texas.