Ronald Gene Owen

Ronald Gene Owen, 69, passed peacefully Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Woodbridge, Virginia. Ron, as he was known, was born Sept. 21, 1952, in Eldorado, Illinois, to John and Dorothy (Cox) Owen. He married Jean Opperman, his high school sweetheart, Dec. 30, 1971, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Findlay, and she survives. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Owen of Findlay; daughter, Christina Smith of Front Royal, Virginia; and two granddaughters, Kennedy Smith of Bridgewater, Virginia, and Reagan Smith of Front Royal, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his father, John Owen of Findlay; brother, Ray Owen of Findlay; and his grandparents, Aquilla and Minnie Owen of Broughton, Illinois, and Charles and Leda Cox of Eldorado, Illinois. Ron faithfully and honorably served 28 years in U.S. Army, retiring in 1999 as Provost Sergeant Major, Senior Enlisted Police/Law Enforcement Officer for the 101st Airborne Division, and 716th Military Police Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After retiring from the military, he worked for a private sector company, a U.S. Department of Defense combat support agency, and in corporate security for a major telecommunications company. In January 2019, he retired from the workforce to finally pursue his hobby of leather crafting and enjoy his true passion of riding his Harley. He and his wife participated in many Harley-sponsored rides throughout the years. Ron was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church, Woodbridge, Virginia, where he headed the security team and actively participated in the puppet ministry. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Masonic Lodge Fort Campbell Kentucky #946, Western Kentucky Scottish Rite Consistory, Madisonville, Kentucky, and Rizpah Shriners, Madisonville, Kentucky, where he served with Legion of Honor and was a Shriner Clown. He was also a member of National Sojourners, Virginia Citizens Defense League, and VFW Chapter 1503. He was a boy scout and completed all the required work to achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Through the church of his youth, he participated in a creative writing competition "Talents for Christ" and received a four-year full journalism scholarship to Cedarville Baptist College, Cedarville. He was born to tell stories. If he had an audience, he had a story to tell. His funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd., Dale City, Virginia 22193. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a Masonic service at 11 a.m. The church service will begin immediately following with Dr. Brad Weniger officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, in care of Rizpah Shriners, 3300 Hanson Road, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431.