Gerald Franklin Owens

Jerry Owens died at home in Walla Walla on Dec. 7, 2017.

Gerald Franklin Owens was born in Wheeling, W.V., Aug. 29, 1941, to Mildred and Frank Owens. He was raised with siblings Jean, Leslie, and Karen in Steubenville, Ohio. He graduated from Big Red H.S. in 1959, and joined the Army. Jerry served in Vietnam three times. The first two tours were as an enlisted Soldier. By the third, he had completed Officer Candidate School and served as an Advisor.

While stationed in Pirmasens, Germany, he fell in love with American teacher Mary Jensen. They were married in Basel, Switzerland, in 1969. The couple welcomed daughter Heather Michelle in 1972.

Jerry retired from the Army in 1981 and later began a career with the Civil Service. Career highlights include seven years in Wiesbaden, Germany, and 13 years as Chief of the Army’s Western Regional Environmental Office in Denver. He was present in Germany in 1961 when the Berlin Wall went up and again in 1989 when the Wall fell.

He held a B.S. degree from Park College and an MPA from Troy State University.

In Germany, Jerry began exploring his creative side with the community theatre program. Studs Terkel’s “Working” was one of his favorite plays, and he remembered the lines to retiree “Joe” for the rest of his life.
By the time he retired in 2008, Jerry had served the U.S. Army for 49 years, 22 as a Soldier and 27 as a civilian.

The couple relocated to Walla Walla. Jerry volunteered with Meals on Wheels and his church’s prison ministry. He took up wood carving, which he enjoyed immensely. Jerry was active in the Reserve Officer Association and NARFE.

Jerry was diagnosed with a Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor in July 2016. He was steadfast when facing this diagnosis, adopting the motto, “I choose life!”
After starting Optune therapy, Jerry’s inoperable brain tumor shrank by two-thirds, encouraging his physician, Dr. Guy Jones, of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

On Dec. 7, after a happy day where he attended the Holiday NARFE luncheon with Heather then mass and dinner with Mary, Jerry had a fatal heart attack while relaxing in a warm bath.

The following day, his family learned that Jerry had shrunk his GBM brain tumor by more than 97 percent.
“The response is like nothing I have ever seen before,” wrote Dr. Jones.

Mary and Heather are happy that Jerry received healing of his cancer and spirit prior to his death and, though they grieve his passing, believe that he had a long and loving life.

Jerry leaves his wife of 48 years and daughter, both of Walla Walla; sister Karen Scott (Paul), sister-in-law Audrey Owens, brother-in-law James Teaff of Ohio; three of Mary’s siblings, their spouses, and scores of nieces and nephews.
Jerry was pre-deceased by his parents, parents-in-law, siblings Jean and Leslie, and Darren Owens, Diana Jensen, and Mick Jensen.

Viewing will be held at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, Jan. 11 starting at 11 a.m. The Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church with Fr. Tyler Smedley officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on April 18.

Jerry’s favorite charities were Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, American Cancer Society, and The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado.