Thomas Owens

Thomas Eugene Owens WISE, Va. Thomas Eugene Owens, 87, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol Tennessee. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving in the 449th Medical Collection Company, which landed on Normandy Beach. His unit saw battle in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Mr. Owens demonstrated this same courage in his last weeks of life. For many years, Mr. Owens was employed as the bookkeeper and clerk of Christie Coal and Coke Company in Esserville, Va. He later served as the bookkeeper and manager of The Inn at Wise. Mr. Owens was an avid artist, photographer and bird lover. He also enjoyed reading and watching science fiction. Born in Harlan, Ky., he was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Vance and Ruth Porter Owens; his wife, Mary Booth Owens; three brothers, Howard "Drake" Owens, Carlyle B. Owens and John A. Owens; and a sister, Martha Ruth Owens. Surviving are his son, Kenny Owens; a daughter, Suzann LaFuria and husband David; three grandchildren, Luci LaFuria, Joe LaFuria and Sam LaFuria; a brother, Charles Vance Owens and wife Margaret; sister-in-law, Audrey Williams; brother-in-law, Harold Booth; friends, Richard and Judy Hughes; and many other relatives and friends. Graveside services and military rites being conducted by the local VFW and Virginia National Guard will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, in the Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood, Va. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery. After the services, please join the family for a celebration of Mr. Owen's life to be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Troutdale Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Norton, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, 146 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Sturgill Funeral Home, 1621 Norton Road, SW, Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.