Owen John Baggett

COL. OWEN JOHN BAGGETT, USAF, RET Col. Owen Baggett died at peace and with dignity July 27, 2006 in New Braunfels, TX. Born August 29, 1920 in Graham, Texas to John M. and Mary Pearl Baggett, he was always quick with a smile and a kind word. He never met a stranger, and was loved by many. He relished his activities as Drum Major for the Hardin Simmons University Cowboy band, and made many lifelong friends during his years there. He received some fame for shooting down a Japanese Zero with a revolver while hanging from a parachute after his B-24 bomber was shot down, and he subsequently spent 2-1/2 years as a Prisoner of War at Changi prison camp in Rangoon, Burma during World War II. The essence of the man, however, is that he survived the horrors of war and his internment without bitterness or hatred. Enduring starvation and torture showed the strength of his body, but it is by his forgiveness of his tormentors that truly reveals the strength of his soul. He will be deeply missed by all those he touched. He is survived by his daughter, Diana Farrar of San Antonio, TX, his former wife, Pat Baggett of Kerrville, TX, cousin Pauline Morton of Archer City, TX her son Gary, his wife Carin and daughter Ana of Austin, TX, cousin Ken Garrett of Redwing, MN, his son Jim and daughter Ellie, cousin Julia Garrett of Roanoke, VA., numerous second cousins and countless friends. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1 at the Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in Canyon Lake, Texas, with internment at 9:15, Wednesday August 2 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX.