Michael G. "Mike" Owens

Michael "Mike" Grady Owens, 73, of Tyler, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024. Services will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home, with Rev. Scott Wiley officiating. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service, followed by a private family burial.
Born on September 12, 1951, in Port Arthur, Texas, Mike was the son of Grady Cleburn Owens and Jolene Gentry Owens. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1970 and went on to earn a football scholarship to Tulane University, where he graduated in 1974. As co-captain of the Tulane football team, he played in the 1973 Bluebonnet Bowl. He later earned his Master's degree from Lamar University in 1984.
Mike's coaching career spanned over three decades, with notable positions as Head Football Coach and Campus Coordinator. He began at Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, where he served from 1982 to 1995, leading the Yellow Jackets to five playoff appearances. He then took the helm at Tyler Lee High School (now Tyler Legacy), where from 1996 to 2010, he became the winningest coach in school history with a record of 111-69. Under his leadership, the Red Raiders won five district championships, earned 13 playoff berths, and captured the 2004 Class 5A Division 1 state championship with a 12-3 record.
After retiring for six years, Mike returned for one final coaching season at Frankston High School. His impact extended beyond his teams, as he mentored numerous players who went on to play at the collegiate and professional levels, including the NFL.
Mike was honored throughout his career, being inducted into the Tyler ISD Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Tulane Football Hall of Fame in 2023, as part of the 1973 team. Mike was also inducted into the East Texas Coaches Hall of Honor in 2014. In August 2024, the field house at Tyler Legacy High School was named in his honor as the Mike Owens Field House.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathy McLaughlin Owens; his children, Jordan Owens and wife Emily, Tyler Owens and wife Jordan, and Ashlyn Owens Roberts and husband Dustin; and grandchildren Evan, James, and Grady Owens. He is also survived by his sister Deborah Owens Callais and husband Roy, nieces Alyssa Ducote and husband Darrin, and Winter Weldon.