Charles “George” Owen, 84, passed away April 18, 2006 in Delray Beach, FL. He was born Dec. 31, 1922.
Owen was a man of great honor, and had a big heart and a zest for life. A child of farmers, he had his college career at Wake Forest College interrupted while serving his country during WWII in the Air Force. He embraced everything the academic world had to offer. He lettered in football, was an All American lineman, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, in addition to competing in swimming and diving.
Owen was president of the Sigma Pi fraternity, the Deacon and Monogram Club and most importantly met his future lifetime partner and true love, Vesta Anne Grice.
Owen became a teacher and coach and taught from 1951 until he retired as a guidance counselor in 1983, after receiving his masters from FAU. His students felt that he really cared about each and every one of them. He urged students to become men and women of great achievement. He taught math and computers when computers puzzled everyone but himself. He coached baseball, football, basketball and swimming.-He was the Key Club sponsor when the club won top honors in the National Key Club Convention in California during the summer of 1971.
With Vesta’s help, Owen would dress up in his bells and Santa suit to play Santa Claus for the children and adults of Boca Community Hospital. He was always there for a relative or a friend with his big heart and strong back to help whoever was in need. He and Vesta spent many a time in their camper and would stay for weeks caring for a person as long as they were needed. With all his accomplishments, he always had time and scraped together money, working all summer on hot Florida roofs, pressure cleaning in order to pay for a family vacation. He taught his kids to swim, fish, climb trees and mountains, and how to ride a bike and get up with a smile if they crashed.
Along with Vesta, he was always there for their kids.
We will miss a big man with a big heart who gave his all to family, friends, and students in Delray Beach and DeFuniak Springs.
Owen is survived by his wife, Vesta Anne (Grice) Owen, of Delray Beach; two sons, Gregor Owen of NC, and Sam Owen of Delray Beach; daughter, Sarah; brothers, Hoyt and Hubert; many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach on April 20, 2006.
Burial followed in Delray Beach.
[Source: The DeFuniak Springs Herald, May 18, 2006, Page 10-B]
[Burial: Unknown]