John David Owen, Jr. (David) of Jefferson, passed away at age 88 at the Greene County Medical Center.
David was born to John and Ruth (Dunlop) Owen on January 14, 1935, in Des Moines. He attended school in Rippey, graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953, and attended the Herdsmanship program at Iowa State University. David moved with his parents to their family farm north of Jefferson in 1947. He married Reva Middleton on Sept. 9, 1956. Together, they farmed for more than 60 years and raised two daughters, Cathy and Carol.
David was born to farm. There was no place he would rather be than in the field (except for bean walking time). He raised cattle and feeder pigs for a number of years. In his later years, he enjoyed driving his Gator to visit neighbors and watch as the fields were planted and harvested. He was a John Deere loyalist and spent many hours in his shop building birdhouses, wishing wells, and flower planters for family and friends. David loved all animals, especially his best friend, “Bud the Dog.” And he was very proud of his grandchildren’s (Jacob and Sarah) accomplishments, antics, and adventures.
Left to honor his memory are his wife Reva; daughters Cathy Owen of Ames, and Carol (Randy) Luth of Ankeny; grandchildren Jacob Luth and partner Kirsten Binder of Fayetteville, AR, and Sarah Luth and husband Derek Hinrichs of Madison, WI; and several sisters-and brothers-in-law and cousins.
The family would especially like to thank Amanda Burbank for her kindness and the empathetic care she provided while he was a resident at The Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Greene County Animal Shelter or the Greene County Christian Action Resource Center.
Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.
