Jerry D. Owens

Jerry D. Owens, age 81, of Sweetwater, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023, at his home. Jerry was born March 4, 1942, the fourth of four children to Jim and Verlia Owens. Jerry was preceded in death by Wallace and Janis. One surviving brother is James Owens. Wife: Nona Owens preceded Jerry in death and Wife: Betty Owens is left to morn his passing. Jerry graduated from Hancock County High School and attended East Tennessee State University prior to entering military service. Jerry served six years in the U.S. Army. His last tour of duty was in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. Where Jerry was honorably discharged but with military inflicted health problems. Years latter he was certified to be 80 % disabled resulting from chemical injuries suffered during his Vietnam tour.
After separating from the military Jerry was employed alongside his brother: Jim with Western Union Telegraph Company. He worked for years with Western Union as manager of the Western Union office in Athens, TN. When that office closed he took employment with Burley Farmers Co-op, where he worked as a book-keeper, the remainder of his working years.
Jerry's major hobby was quail hunting. He and his brother Jim hunted together form the time adolescents until their middle adulthood. Their hunting together stopped as a results of their employments. Tobacco marketing season and bird hunting season was concurrent. Jerry and Jim as brothers were very close. And that relationship lasted until Jerry's death.
Jerry professed and believed in GOD at an early age, and became a member of the Atlanthus Hill Baptist Church in Hancock County, TN. He moved his membership several times uniting with a church in his community. Jerry was an avid Christian who at death was looking forward to going home, an uniting with his GOD.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, from 1:00PM until 2:00P.M. with the funeral service to follow at 2:00P.M. in Kyker's Chapel with Rev. Norman Arp officiating. Interment to follow in the Forkner's Chapel Cemetery.