Richard Owen

1930 - 2021

Richard Owen

Richard (Dick) T. Owen, son of Albert (Pink) and Ethel Owen, passed into the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Mae Owen, and his son, Geryl Ray Owen. Dick was born in Hood River but lived his school years in The Dalles, Oregon, where his family was deeply involved in The Dalles First Christian Church. Dick and Rita married at the Christian Church on July 15, 1951, prior to his deployment to Tokyo, Japan to serve in the US Army.

Dick was on a military transport headed for Korea. "Through a miracle" he was name-called to join General MacArthur's service staff in Tokyo. Dick was drawn into a close fellowship with other Christians in the military and missionary communities. He asked Rita to join him for his last six months of service in Japan. They both fell in love with the Japanese people, as well as the military, civilian and mission personnel called to serve in Japan. They remained in Japan upon completion of Dick's three years of military service and worked for Pacific Stars and Stripes (Stripes) Newspaper for 24 years, ending his career as the Pacific Region Circulation Manager.

After retiring from Stripes and spending two years in the USA, he and Rita returned to Japan for 19 years as missionaries with World Venture at the Christian Academy in Japan. He had a love for missions that was palpable. Even after service in Japan for so many years, Dick and Rita created a "mission apartment" in their home in Oregon. For many years, missionaries came and stayed with them for days, weeks, months and sometimes up to a year.

While Dick was a consummate businessman, most of all he loved to serve his Savior. He was incredibly grateful to friends and leaders in the military who encouraged him to choose to stand for his faith.

They had six children, Sheryl (Gaynor) Dawson, Geryl (Michele) Owen (deceased), Carol (Phil) Dowsett, Theresa (Wade) Robinson, Paul (Jolette) Owen, and John Michael (Yuka) Owen. All were born and raised in Japan. Dick has left behind a large family and a brother Samuel Elwood (Lynn-deceased) Owen, a missionary in Africa. His children will miss him greatly as will his 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.