Capt. Andrew Owens, USN (Ret.)

Captain Andrew Jenkins Owens, US Navy retired, age 90, passed away November 23, 2016, following a long illness, and joined his Father in Heaven, whom he knew and served from boyhood. He was born in Avondale, NC, to Hollis Monroe Owens and Virginia Jesse Owens. He married the love of his life, Virginia Bailey Winn in 1950, and they enjoyed a special union until her passing in 2005.  He is survived by Jane Lewis Owens Bryson (daughter), a son, Andrew Jenkins Owens Jr. (Angela), and Virginia Winn Owens (daughter), four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Captain Owens retired to Jacksonville in 1985 following a distinguished career in the US Navy, and the defense industry. He was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, (class of 1949), the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, DC. Prior to entering the Naval Academy, Captain Owens attended Davidson College for three years, where he captained the varsity basketball team.

In a 26-year Navy career, Captain Owens was posted worldwide at major supply and logistics commands, and at sea aboard several different ships. He was an early leader in the computerization of defense supply and logistics, and throughout his career spearheaded initiatives modernizing these systems. He is the recipient of numerous campaign, unit commendation, and personal awards appropriate to his rank, including the Legion of Merit, with Combat V, for service in Vietnam.

After leaving the Naval service, Captain Owens held several senior consulting project management positions, notably with Computer Science Corporation in Tehran, Iran, and with Diversified Systems Research Corporation, under contract to the Department of Energy in Bartlesville, OK.

Captain Owens loved his community and church. He was a former President of the Jacksonville Beaches Sertoma Chapter. As a member of both Beach United Methodist Church, and Ponte Vedra UMC he was actively involved as the Lay Leader at Beach, as a Stephens Minister and, also in coordinating and serving the Walk to Emmaus.

Captain Owens loved music dating from his childhood, where he served as the Drum Major for his high school band. He weekly trekked from church service at Beach to Ponte Vedra to sing in both choirs. For 25-years he was active in Singers by the Sea.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 23, 2017 in Beach Church, 325 7th Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach, FL. The family will greet family and friends one hour prior to service.