KENNITH FRED OWENS

Kennith Fred Owens, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 16, 2024, following an extended illness.

Ken was born in Grundy, VA in 1945 and was the son of the late Louise Victoria (Clevinger) Owens and Earl Melvin Owens.

After Ken initially joined the United States Army, stationed in Germany, he met the love of his life, the late Waltraud “Trudy” Gunda Huszti. After he was discharged, he worked in the coal mines in Grundy VA for several years. He and Trudy eventually settled in Norton, Virginia, where they raised their son and daughter, Earl and Julie, and retired as a federal coal mine inspector. Enjoying the solitude of the outdoors, Ken was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. He also enjoyed being involved in the local community and church. He was a member of the Norton Lion’s Club for many years and a member of the Norton First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.

Other than his wife, father and mother, Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Barbra Owens Stiltner; a brother-in-law, R.C. Nash; a sister-in-law, Margaret Owens; a nephew, Dorsey Owens Jr.; and a great-niece, Leah Brook Owens.

He is survived by his son and daughter, Earl Owens and Julie Jessee; three grandchildren, Jordan Burgan, Jacob Jessee, and Jarrett Jessee; and two great-granddaughters, Lydia Tru and Lena Anne; four sisters, Helen Nash of Sugar Grove, WV, Sue Hargrove (Edward) of Huntsville, AL, Sherry Shortt (Terry) of Fayetteville, WV, and Patty Elswick (Robert) of Grundy; four brothers, Dorsey of WV, David (Becky), Olen (Shelia), and Gary all of Grundy; brother-in-law, Steven Huszti (Hannah) of Red Lion PA; and sisters-in-law, Julie Hildebrand (Lyn) of Abingdon Va and Susanne Huszti of Essex MD.

Funeral services for Kennith Fred Owens will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 23, 2024 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Rev. Nick Brewer officiating. Burial will follow with Military Rites in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap, VA. The family will receive friends from 12:00 P.M. till time of services at 1:00 P.M. at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to Asbury Place Kingsport, 100 Netherland Lane, Kingsport, TN 37660. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.