John Wendell Owings

John Wendall Owings passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025. He was 90 years old and resided in Calimesa, California. John was born on July 25, 1935 in Upland California to Wanda Jean Wise Owings and Samuel Laverne Owings. He is preceded in death by his parents and loving wife Colleen. John grew up with a love of music. At an early age he picked up the trombone and never looked back. He was an accomplished musician throughout his school years, and graduated from Chaffey High School in 1953. In 1955 after high school he entered the Air Force and became a member of the Armed Forces Band. He was based at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington DC, but travelled the world. It was while he was stationed at Bolling, on a blind date, he met his wife Colleen. John and Colleen were married January 3, 1959 in her home town of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania then moved back to California, settling in Long Beach shortly thereafter. Although his primary instrument was the trombone, he also played the double bell euphonium, stand up bass and electric bass guitar. Although he worked primarily for the Long Beach Municipal Band he also worked with the Society for the Preservation of Big Bands and did side jobs for various entertainment events that came to town. In 1979 after large funding cuts to the LBMB he went to work as a sales rep for Vacuum Truck Equipment in Long Beach. After living in Long Beach, John and Colleen subsequently moved to Bellflower then to Upland and after retirement they sold their home and property in Upland CA. They moved around the country several times between California, Virginia, Texas and Ariziona before finally settling down in Calimesa, CA 2009. In addition to music, John loved the ocean, sailing, fishing and football. He even purchased a boat they would live in on the weekends. Before leaving California he was a Rams fan but came back to California as a die hard Charges fan. John will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter Eileen Ailshie, grandchildren Christine Kelsey and Keith Ailshie and great grandchildren Logan Kelsey and Lucas Kelsey.