Richard Franklin Owens, 84, passed away on May 3rd, 2022 in Liberty Lake, Washington.

He did not wish to have any services in his honor.

Richard was born on December 15th, 1937 to GR and Pearl Owens in Alton, Missouri and was baptized in the Eleven Points River. He attended Greer and Alton schools before he joined the United States Air Force at age 17. He served in the Air Force as the crew chief on a jet bomber in the US and Germany.

After service he moved to Oregon for work.

Rich married Sarah, his wife of 62 years in 1960; two years later his daughter, Lisa, was born.

After twelve years in Oregon the family returned to Alton where Rich joined the family business, Wallace & Owens Stores, Inc. He later moved to Corning, Arkansas to build and manage a new store and after twelve years relocated to Jonesboro, AR to do the same there and retired from Wallace & Owens after another twelve years.

Rich and Sarah moved to the Hand Cove area of Lake Norfork that he so loved to become the caretaker at the Bluffs for 7 years and spent the remainder of his life in nearby Mountain Home, until he moved with family to Liberty Lake, WA where he was happily and anxiously awaiting the birth of his first great granddaughter.

Richard was a member of the American Legion, the Elks Lodge, the Shriners, was a 32nd degree Master Mason, and was of the Protestant faith.

More than anything, Richard lived his life being gentle and kind, and he loved animals. That he was so well-known and much loved everywhere he went speaks to his exceptional character.

Richard is preceded in death by his mother, father, four sisters, and one brother.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah, daughter Lisa, son-in-law Dutch, granddaughters Jenna and Brooke, grandson in law Austin, sister Millie, brother Jon (Lorna), sister-in-law Annie, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends whom he loved dearly.

Memorial donations in his name may be given to any organization benefiting the welfare of animals.

“Great people are meteors designed to burn so that the earth may be lighted” -Napoleon Bonaparte