Robert Lee Owens Sr.

Robert Lee Owens Sr., 89, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025. He was born on August 7, 1935 to Harold Learen Owens Sr., and Eleanor Kate Franger Owens in San Antonio, Texas. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Lee Wearden Owens, who died at the age of 87 in 2023. They were married for sixty eight years.
They were blessed with three children to their marriage: Robert Owens Jr., wife Kandi, Rebecca Owens Hill, and Rosaline Owens Williams, husband Jeffrey, now deceased. Five grandchildren that include Kristn Owens Stuart, with husband Tyson Stuart, from Dallas. From Tyler, grandson Jeremy Williams, and granddaughter Kyndl Williams Tompkins, with husband, Chase Thompkins. From Houston, granddaughter Beverly Hill Blondell, with husband Brian Blondell, and grandson Robert Hill. Three great grandchildren: Rowen Tompkins, deceased, Eisley Tompkins, and another Tompkins baby on the way.
Growing up, Robert was the oldest son in the family. His family lived in Alice, Texas for a time, which is where he would meet his future wife, Barbara, at a Halloween sock hop. Dad reminisced about helping his dad run his gas station, riding a scooter around town, fishing, and wandering around the countryside as boys do.
At age 14, Robert lost his dad, and started working to help support his mom and siblings by throwing papers. His teachers complained about his poor performance in school, though he was good at math, and he quit high school. His family was now in San Antonio, and Robert started managing groups of boys, for paper routes, for The San Antonio Star.
On Saturday nights, after managing his paper routes, he would head to Corpus Christi to be able to see Barbara. They were not allowed to go on a Sunday night date, unless they first went to church service at the Baptist church. At age sixteen, they were both baptised, and made the decision to follow Jesus, and a Christian way of life as a foundation to build their lives together.
In 1954, they started their life partnership in San Antonio. A year later, they would welcome their first child. Dad recalled that Mom would sit in the backseat of a 1949 Ford Sedan, pregnant, folding papers, while he would drive down bumpy roads of San Antonio. With Mom's help, Dad finished high school. You weren't allowed to be married with kids, while attending
school at the time, and Dad's teachers were surprised when Dad showed up with a wife, a little boy, and another baby on the way.
After helping his family for a time, Robert and Barbara moved to Corpus Christi and started working with Leo Wearden at Groce Wearden Company. Groce Wearden was a food service company that supplied restaurants and grocery stores throughout the valley and San Antonio. As a salesman, Dad would talk about his routes up the coast to Port Aransas. Dad said he was raised in the era that "If you could prove that you could do something, then you would be given the opportunity." He believed "staying the course would bring success." That you had to be willing to go seek out, ask questions, and find those opportunities. He also believed in faith, and on those sales routes would pray, Phillippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
While growing up as a family, Dad would take us fishing through bays and lakes around Corpus, and bird hunting in Beeville. We spent vacation time camping in Texas State Parks and had great adventures. We learned archery in the backyard, played ball games, and grew a vegetable garden. Dad and Mom loved sitting outside, enjoying their beautiful yard, the birds, and always a miniature poodle on their laps. Dad was great at fixing things, and would enlist us kids to fix a fence or shingles on the roof, after a hurricane.
In 1976, Robert and Barbara were transferred to manage the Groce Wearden branch office in Bay City, Texas. They spent sixteen years in Bay City and had a beautiful rolling property with pecan trees, close by the Colorado River. We enjoyed many family gatherings in the backyard, playing with the kids, enjoying steaks, and dad's famous "blackened chicken" off the grill. Dad had a boat and he enjoyed taking us water skiing.
When they were 45, the branch office was closed, and they started careers in real estate. Robert acquired his broker's license, and they opened up their own office.
At age 60, Robert and Barbara moved to Tyler, Texas. They lived in Tyler, close to thirty years, attending Green Acres Baptist Church. We all teased that Dad couldn't sing, but he was always so proud to have us all together, and to pass out the mints.
Dad continued real estate up to the last couple years of his life. Always the breadwinner, he believed in hard work, going out everyday "to stir something up", find a conversation, or help others with his vast knowledge of real estate.
Robert was a kind, loving husband, father, grandfather, Pampal, who loved visiting and advising, when asked. We are grateful to have had a couple of extra years to grow close in our relationship with him, and to hear all his great stories.
He was a great conversationalist, watched the news, read newspapers, books, and sermons on Sundays. He could discuss what the pastor said about Jesus and salvation, politics, real estate, and especially his favorite football team - The Dallas Cowboys. He was able to attend a couple of games recently with his son and family, and was very proud of that.
Robert and Barbara's life verse was Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Believing that following after Christ would bring them home to heaven. We are thankful for this well laid foundation that our parents gave us. We are thankful that Robert is with Jesus, and his bride Barbara, his partner for life, now forevermore.
The family is grateful for all of the prayers and blessings that were given for Robert, and to caregivers, administrators, and nurses at The Atria Senior Living, Tyler, Texas, who blessed us with their kindness.
Closing scripture Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by the same Spirit living within you."