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Bruce Owen Obituary
Walland, TN
Bruce Allen Owen, a talented singer, musician, intellectual and career industrial hygienist for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 34 years, died suddenly on Saturday of multiple complications at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 64. His death was announced by his wife, Darlene Owen. Though his work for one of the leading federal nuclear research facilities in the United States was rewarding, fulfilling and challenging, his true passions lay in the arts. Formally and informally trained on a number of instruments, his primary love and greatest skill was for the acoustic guitar. Whether writing and creating music from the enjoyment of his home studio with his wife, Darlene, or covering classic 60s and 70s songs live in front of an audience – friends and newcomers often marveled at his smooth fret movement and appealing, James Taylor-esque voice.
The musician-vocalist-instrumentalist world is presently, and will forever be, more vacant of true talent with his absence in the physical form, not to mention the lost conversationalist circles of the intellectual variety. Bruce was born on Aug. 5, 1952, in Balboa, Panama, to Joseph Harding Owen and Laura Florene Owen. Mr. Owen was a career serviceman in the U.S. Army. The family eventually settled in Knoxville, Tennessee. Bruce then graduated from Farragut High School, before receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee.
He leaves behind wife, Darlene; sons, Justin and Brad; brothers, Jeff and Steve; stepson and daughter-in-law, Les and Stephanie; granddaughter, Phoebe; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the ASPCA or The Foundation For Breast Cancer Research. A visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday April 30, 2017 at The Life Event Center, 1404 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Owen
Sponsored by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service Smith Life and Legacy.
Herby Hay, M.D.
January 29, 2022
So sorry to hear of Bruce´s passing. He was a talented and kind soul that I had the pleasure of knowing for a time at ORNL as a student on 1983.
Patricia Zingg
May 8, 2017
Brad and Justin,
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing.
D. Johnson
May 1, 2017
Adios. We shared some good times long ago.
Sandra Lambert
April 30, 2017
My condolences to Bruce's family.
I worked with Bruce at ORNL for several years. He had a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of subjects and I often learned something new after talking to him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Les Neuhaus
April 28, 2017
So long, Bruce. I'll always remember you singing to Phoebe and the day you married mom. Dood
Catherine Mattus
April 28, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Bruce. I worked at ORNL with him for many years and I had the chance to appreciate his kindness and willingness to help his colleagues. I am sad that he did not have a chance to enjoy his retirement for long. His family is in my thoughts and priers.
Teri Huskey
April 28, 2017
Darlene I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. I know you will miss him terribly and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Teri from Dott Baker Agency
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