James Ray Owen

"This world is not our home, we are just passing through."

James R. Owen went home to his Savior on August 2, 2025, surrounded by his wife, Jane, of 57 years; son, Patrick; grandson, Jacob; daughter, Jill; son-in-law, Darrell; and granddaughters, Julia and Kelly.

Born December 2, 1946 to Wayne and Lurline (Garrett) Owen, James Ray Owen, lovingly known as "Jim," was the fourth of five children. His siblings included Bob Owen, Mildred Beason, Bill Owen and Dorothy Ray. Growing up, he lived in Portales, NM, Grady, NM, San Jon, NM and Kirtland, NM. He graduated from Kirtland Central High School in 1964 and earned his bachelor degree in 1968 from Eastern New Mexico University, where he was active in the Sigma Nu fraternity.

On June 4, 1968, he married Jane Bynum, sharing their anniversary with his parents. In April, 1972, they welcomed their daughter, Jill Nicole and in August, 1975, they welcomed their son, James Patrick.

In 1969, He accepted a graduate assistantship at the University of Wyoming, where he and Jane lived for two years. After earning his masters in Agricultural Economics, he worked in Agricultural banking for 13 years, moving the family from Omaha to Wichita to Denver. In 1985, Jim took his dream job with the Navajo Tribe as their Chief Financial Officer of their farming corporation. For twelve years, the four corners area was home until Jim and Jane moved to McKinney, TX, where Jim began his Ph.D. program at University of Texas, Dallas. Graduating in 2001, he took his first professorship at Prairie View A&M University and he began teaching economics. In 2004, both Jim and Jane received professorships at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, where they both taught until they retired. He loved music and enjoyed time outside, working in his barn or riding his tractor.

Jim was active in church his whole life. Realizing his need for a Savior, Jim accepted Christ in early elementary school and worked to serve Him well throughout his life. He was a member of several church choirs, taught several different Sunday School classes, served on finance teams and was ordained a deacon in 1982. He talked of his hope in Christ because of his salvation in Christ, especially during difficult times. He was privileged to witness both his children come to saving faith in Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob and Bill and sister, Mildred. He is survived by his wife, Jane (Bynum) Owen; daughter Jill Daugherty (Darrell) of Stillwater, OK; son, Patrick (Hang) of Arlington, VA; three granddaughters: Julia Daugherty of Oklahoma City, OK; Camille Winemiller (Justin) of Indianapolis, IN; and Kelly Daugherty of Fayetteville, AR; two grandsons: Michael Owen of Blacksburg, VA; and Jacob Owen of Arlington, VA; one sister, Dorothy Ray of Porter, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim's Celebration of Life will be Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, East Sanctuary, Wichita Falls, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:

Wichita Falls Faith Mission (faithmissionwf.org)

Or

Truth for Life (truthforlife.org).

If sending flowers, please consider using Bebb's Flowers (bebbsflowers.com or 940-322-2128).