Richard Owens

"Rhymers Ferry Native"

Richard Marvin Owens, age 80, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021, at his home surrounded by his children.

He was a native of Graham County, born in Rhymers Ferry, the son of the late Harry Joe and Lucille Massey Owens. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Owens Wiggins.

Richard was a 1959 graduate of Mountain View High School.  After graduation he attended Western Carolina University on a basketball scholarship.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army after graduation.  When his term ended, he returned to Haywood County to attend AB Tech, where he earned his degree as a Tool & Die Maker.  Richard worked for various tool companies before opening his own business, Mountaineer Precision Tool & Mold, Inc. in Waynesville.  He served as the President from 1973 until 1999.  Upon closing his business, he was employed by NC Department of Transportation as a Shop Foreman from 2000 until 2005.  Richard was a longtime member of the BPOE #1769 Waynesville Lodge and was honored by members and officers with presentation of the Distinguished Lifetime Membership Award.

Richard’s retirement brought many happy days on the golf course, and many miles traveled on his Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

Richard is survived by his four children, all of Waynesville, Marty Owens, and his wife, Michelle, Joe Owens, E. J. Owens Plott, and her husband, Monte, and Ashley Owens Rutkosky; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Taylor Owens, Nicholas Owens, and his wife, Anna Clair and daughter Penelope Grace Owens, Kelly Massie, Daniel Massie, Harry Owens and Sebren Owens; and one sister, Pat Owens Rogers, of Waynesville.

A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021, in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home.  A reception will follow the service at Wells Events & Reception Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children’s Christmas at the Waynesville Elks Lodge (BPOE #1769 Waynesville Lodge), 510 Dellwood Road, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Mr. Owens has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.