James “Jimmy” Owens, an 82 year old Derby resident and husband of 58 years to Donna Collins Owens, entered into eternal rest at home surrounded by his loving family on Jan. 21.
He was born March 23, 1942 in Derby, son of the late William Taft Owens and Edna Wilhelmy Owens. He graduated from Derby High School Class of ’59 as well as from Oklahoma St. University School of Fire Protection.
He was a Veteran of U.S. Army. He worked as a technical consultant in Loss Control for ITT Hartford. He was a member of The Storm Engine Co. & Ambulance Corps. in Derby. He was a member and former Treasurer of The Immanuel St. James Church in Derby.
He also served on The Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation, Past director of the Derby Veterans Community Center, served as Treasurer of The Oklahoma St. School of Fire Protection Alumni Association, and coached Little League Baseball in Derby for multiple decades.
He was to all of his children their biggest fan, and avidly followed all their high school and college sports activities. He was also a fan of The Brooklyn Dodgers.
In addition to his wife Donna, he leaves two sons Jeffrey R. Owens (Diane) of Southbury and Stephen P. Owens of Derby, daughter Kristin Owens Dorogi (Csaba) of Leominster, MA., grandchildren Quinn & Laszlo Dorogi and Justinian & Alexander Owens, nieces Heather Beauton & her children of Derby, and Lillijane Shigematsu of Indiana, brother-in-law Robert H. Collins (Jennifer) and a host of cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Sandra Owens-Beauton.
Friends may call on Friday, Jan. 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, with friends asked to go directly to The Church of Good Shepherd/ISJ Chapel, 182 Coram Ave. Shelton for services beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery in Ansonia.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Storm Engine Co. & Ambulance Corps., 151 Olivia St. Derby, CT. 06418 or The Children’s Tumor Foundation join.ctf.org/jamesowens or to his church.