Fred Guthrie Owen, Jr., 89, of Birmingham, Ala., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, March 17th, 2012. He was born on August 7, 1922 near Bessemer, AL. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1940. After one year at Marion Institute he transferred to The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. His entire junior class was inducted into the Army as privates in 1943. After OCS, he was commissioned in the Army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and assigned to the U.S. Air Force. His service took him to New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, Ie Shima, and ten months in Japan. In 1947 he married Polly Price, his wife of almost 65 years. They met at Camp Winnataska where he was an early Blackfoot and originated the name for that group. He graduated from The Citadel, and began his career with Koppers Co., headquartered in Pittsburgh. He spent 40 years with Koppers holding jobs in New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Birmingham. He retired in 1987 as Southern Regional Manager. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Guthrie Owen, of Sulligent, AL; and his mother Helen Meigs Owen of Bessemer. He is survived by his wife, Polly Price; two sons, Fred G. Owen, III; and Daniel Meigs Owen and his wife Susan Golliher Owen; one daughter, Mary Pauline Owen; and one grandson, Daniel Kelly Owen. He loved both his and Polly’s families. He learned the trumpet at an early age and was the bugler at Camp Winnataska, Marion and The Citadel. He enjoyed playing in dance bands from high school through college and the war. His passion was playing golf. He was a member of the Two Bit Dogfight group at the Birmingham Country Club for many years. He was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, The Club, and The Citadel Alumni Association. There will be a private family graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery on Tuesday, March 20th. A memorial service will be held at Canterbury United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer gifts to “Friends of Winnataska” at PO Box 59514, Birmingham, AL 35259 or Canterbury United Methodist Church. Tags: 1944
Posted in:
Posted on:
Link to original obituary: