David Norman Owens

David Norman Owens, July 22nd, 1950 to June 11th, 2013

David N. Owens of Smithville Flats, 62, died peacefully at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford on Tuesday June 11, 2013, surrounded by family members and a close friend. He had fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. David was predeceased by his father Merlin Owens, his brother Doug and a sister Marcia; he is survived by his wife Alison (Brown) Owens, 3 sons: Jonathan (Austin) Owens of Snellville, GA, Jacob and Matthew Owens of Smithville Flats, 2 daughters: Tabitha (Ben) Welch of Lawrenceville GA, and Samantha (Kristoffer) Lyman, Salt Lake City UT. David is also survived by his mother Virginia Owens, a resident of Cortland Park Nursing Home, Cortland NY; a brother Brian Owens, Blodgett Mills NY, 2 sisters: Janie (Don) Perry, Gordonville PA and Brenda (Bob) O’Gorman, Homer NY and several nieces and nephews. His pride and joy were his 7 grandchildren: Lydia and Clara Welch, Marin and Owen Lyman, Scott and Emily Owens and David Zachary Owens who was born May 20, 2013.  David served in the US Navy during the Vietnam conflict as an Electronics Technician and furthered his education at RIT to become an Electrical Engineer.  He worked at Unison Industries in Norwich, NY for over 25 years, and will be dearly missed by his co-workers who lovingly referred to him as “Dr. Dave”.  David thoroughly enjoyed working and participating with the Boy Scouts and served as a Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor and Chaplain.  He attended many campouts and regaled the scouts with tales of his navy and hunting adventures.  He was an avid outdoorsman and long time bee-keeper. Some of his most cherished memories are with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. David touched the lives of all those around him, sharing his love, compassion and infinite patience. He was always willing to offer a helping hand, and was commonly found in the kitchen doing dishes or offering to snuggle and rock babies to sleep. Calling hours will be Friday, June 14th from 4-7pm at the Root Funeral Home, 23 N. Chenango St., Greene, NY.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 15th at 10:30am at the Cortland Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3725 Fairview Dr., Cortland NY  13045. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Blodgett Mills, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 162 of Greene NY, Smithville First Responders, Greene Emergency Squad or to the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford, NY. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rootfh.com 

I am sharing many pictures of my father through the years, and I have much to share about this process at a later time.  I will miss my dad so very, very much.  He has meant the world to me, and has been the kindest, most caring and patient man I've ever met.  He has an affinity for babies and children that I've yet to see matched in any other man, and the tenderness he felt for children  and their well-being overwhelmed and astonished so many.  If ever there was a baby that needed (or not!) holding, he would be there to offer a hand, a lap, and some funny faces.  He raised 5 children together with his eternal companion, my sweet mother and taught us the value of love, patience, hard work and friendship.  While it's been so hard to say goodbye to this amazing man, I have been lucky to have had him as my father for the time I did.  He has now moved on to comfort those who may not have had a chance to have a great dad.  I will share more on my thoughts later.  Please enjoy these pictures.