Elmer Gordon Owens

Colonel Elmer Gordon Owens died November 11, 2005 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, S..C. He was born September 20, 1919 in Baltimore, Md., a son of the late Henry Thomas and Laura Virginia Owens. His first wife, Jane Strange Owens, who died in 1960; and his daughter, Sharron Nowakowski, who died in 2005, both predeceased him. Colonel Owens served in the United States Army from February, 1941 to September, 1967. He was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, General Staff Medal and numerous campaign medals. He was a graduate of the Omaha Nebraska University and attended the University of Maryland and the University of Georgia. He was a graduate of the Command General Staff College, Armed Forces College and the Army War College. Upon his retirement from the service, Colonel Owens became Senior Vice President of The National Bank of Washington and worked until 1972 when he resigned and moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he then became involved with real estate investments. He was a member of the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Myrtlewood and Pine Lakes International, where he was an avid golfer. Survivors include his children, Patricia Young of Fairfax, Va., Sarah Gauthier and her husband, Peter of Tucson, Ariz., Gordon Owens and his wife, Esther of Newport News, Va. and Pepper Owens of Cookeville, Tenn.; a son-in-law, Leo Nowakowski of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; twenty-four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be 12 noon Monday, November 14, 2005 at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. with Dr. Robert C. Wilkes officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, in Washington D.C, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1306, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29578 or to charity of one's choice. An online guest book is available at www.msfh.net.