David N. Owen

Biography of David N. Owen 28 July 1940 – 27 April 2021 David N. Owen was born on 28 July 1940, in New Philadelphia, OH to David “Jim” Owen and Dorothy A. Owen, nee: Ackerman. He was the middle child, and only son, with an older sister Nancy, and younger sister Kris. He spent his formative years working from the age of 11, and was a fisherman, and boat enthusiast, hand building his first boat as a teenager. He, his siblings, cousins, parents, aunts, and uncles, called Catawba Island their second home, spending summers there throughout their lives. An avid student, he was a member of the chess club, and earned a full academic scholarship to Wilmington College, where he studied business administration. He left college in Fall of 1960, to marry the former Sandra Kay Stein, of Baltic, OH, and to start a family. He was father to two Sons, David Charles Owen and Michael Arthur Owen, born in 1961 and 1963 respectively. He started as a driver for the family owned Nickell’s Bakery, and was employed with that enterprise for 40 years, eventually working in the erstwhile Fremont Office after leaving Jackson Township in the mid 80’s. In 1990, He and Sandy purchased a historic home on NW Catawaba Road, and using their unique artistic and woodworking skills honed after decades of wooden boat maintenance/restoration, transformed their home into a truly unique jewel to spend their golden years. During the turn of the century, David also joined the Sunnybrook Trout Club, a year round catch and release facility, where he acquired many, many good friends and acquaintances who shared his passion for fishing and good drink. He started an informal, yet cohesive collective of like-minded gentlemen who would meet in a clubhouse on the premises, to “tie flies and tell lies.” He was the type of fisherman who could demonstrate skills to visiting dignitaries, anglers new and old, and others simply wishing to enjoy his company. It was also the site where he renewed his wedding vows to Sandy, on 18 Sep 2001, after 40 years of wedlock. Additionally, he still retained his love of boats, of which he owned 17 in his lifetime, and incidentally, exceeded the number of automobiles he owned, and was preparing to launch his latest acquisition, a center console Pursuit, prior to falling ill. He is survived by his wife Sandy, his Sisters Nancy and Kris, and their families, as well as his sons Charlie and Michael, their children Siouxsie Owen, Chelsea Owen-Capone, Angelique Owen, and Tyler Owen, and his two great grandchildren Jaylyn and Tyler. A Celebration of Life observance will be held at his long time marina in Herl’s Harbor, NE Catawba Road, at 1PM on Sunday, 02 May 2021.