Please Feel Free To Leave A Comment Or A Memory You Had With Gary~
Beloved husband, father, "Papa," brother, relative and dear friend Gary Owens, 68, passed away after a brave, graceful and thankfully brief battle with cancer Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. Gary touched countless lives with his infectious enthusiasm and winning smile. His generous heart and personal charisma will be forever cherished by those who were lucky enough to know him. Gary was born in Huntsville, Ark., in August 1941 and grew up primarily in Arroyo Grande. He graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 1959. Gary had a long and very successful career in newspaper and radio advertising as well as the owner of several local radio stations. He was respected and admired for his stellar work ethic, good-natured professionalism and unsurpassed integrity. He had a deep passion for sports and believed that participation built character in young people. To know Gary was to love him - his wonderful sense of humor and boundless zest for life. He loved his family passionately. They came first and he was so, so very proud of them all. He will be deeply missed. Gary is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Helen Owens; loving daughters Allyson (John) Buerger with grand kids Austin and Alexa, and Heather (Dave) Beeler with grand kids Brittany, Brooklyn and Blake; loving son, Heath (Laurie) Owens, with grand kids Karlee and Garrett. Gary is also survived by his adoring brothers and sisters Sondra Biggs, Bonnie Crow, Jack Combs, Jeff Combs, Jana Clark and Jeanine Villines. A celebration of life memorial for Gary will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at the Portuguese Hall (Arroyo Grande Hall), 707 Huasna Road in Arroyo Grande. The family invites all who knew and loved him to join them in celebrating Gary''s glorious life. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Gary''s name to the Arroyo Grande High School athletic department and/or donate blood to your local Blood Bank.