OWEN, STANLEY R.
“The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.” So were the last months of Stanley Roosevelt Owen of Van Buren, who entered this world on Dec. 8, 1923, to proud parents Theodore and Biddie Owen. He would be the first in a family of six children growing up in the Fort Smith and Van Buren area.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in World War II from Jan. 7, 1943, to Nov. 7, 1945. As a Marine Raider he defended our country bravely in the South Pacific, where he received three Purple Hearts and a Gold Star.
Stanley was a printer by trade, being employed at the Press Argus for 26 years and then becoming co-owner of Owen Printing and Publishing with his brothers Dale and Kenneth Owen in Alma. In 1981 Daddy and Mama moved to Mount Pleasant, Texas, where they became members of South Jefferson Baptist Church and remained until 2002 when they came back home to Van Buren to care for his mother-in-law, Pearl Bray, whom he loved and respected dearly until her departure in September of 2005.
At the age of 82 years, Jesus came for Daddy the morning of Tuesday, May 30, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Kenneth Owen; a sister, Irene Sellers; a grandchild, Aaron Owen; and brothers-in-law, Virgil Sellers and Jay Mills. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Owen of Van Buren; three daughters and sons-in-law, Robin and Rodney Fuller of Waldron, Rhonda and Jon Harvey of Fort Smith, and Risa and Tommy Oglesby of Mount Pleasant, Texas; four sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Tammy Owen of Alma, Randal Owen of Van Buren, Richard Owen of Mount Pleasant, Texas, and Ronald and Christie Owen of Clarksville; one sister, Janice Owen Mills of Iowa; two brothers, Dale Owen of Roland and Don Owen of Charleston. He had 23 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services are 2 p.m. today at South Jefferson Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant with graveside services at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith at 2 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2006. The Rev. Ronald Owen and the Rev. Roger Owen officiating under the direction of Curry-Welborn Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.