Ronald G. Owen
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Ronald Gene Owen, 69, passed peacefully on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Woodbridge, Virginia. Ron, as he was known, was born September 21, 1952, in Eldorado, Illinois, to John and Dorothy (Cox) Owen. He married Jean Opperman, his high school sweetheart, on December 30, 1971, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Findlay, Ohio and she survives. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Owen of Findlay, Ohio; his daughter, Christina Smith of Front Royal, Virginia; his two granddaughters, Kennedy Smith of Bridgewater, Virginia, and Reagan Smith of Front Royal, Virginia. Those preceding him in death are his father, John Owen, his brother, Ray Owen, both of Findlay, Ohio, and his grandparents, Aquilla and Minnie Owen, Broughton, Illinois, and Charles and Leda Cox, Eldorado, Illinois. Ron faithfully and honorably served 28 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1999 as the Provost Sergeant Major, Senior Enlisted Police/Law Enforcement Officer for the 101st Airborne Division and the 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 long-time member of Central Baptist Church in 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 the Masonic Lodge Fort Campbell Kentucky #946, Western Kentucky Scottish Rite Consistory, Madisonville, Kentucky, and Rizpah Shriners, Madisonville, Kentucky where he served with the Legion of Honor and was a Shriner Clown. He was also a member of the 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 4-year full journalism scholarship to Cedarville Baptist College in Cedarville, Ohio. He was born to tell stories; if he had an audience, he had a story to tell. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Rizpah Shriners, 3300 Hanson Road, Madisonville, KY 42431. His funeral service will be held on Friday, October 22, at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a Masonic service at 11:00 AM. The church service will begin immediately following with Dr. Brad Weniger officiating.
Burial and military honors will follow at Quantico National Cemetery.