Wayne Owen Sr.

1939 - 2026

Wayne Pennington Owen passed away on January 10, 2026, in McKinney, Texas, at the age of 86. Born October 11, 1939, in Trenton, New Jersey, Wayne lived a life marked by curiosity, service, and a well-timed sense of humor. He graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, in 1957 and from Ursinus College in 1961. A lifelong learner, he proved that once he found something interesting, he was all in. He later pursued his MBA through Wharton, Pepperdine, and Southern Methodist University.

In 1959, Wayne married May Lewis, and together they raised two sons, Wayne Pennington Owen Jr., and Kenneth Andrew Owen. Family and community remained central as his 30-year sales and marketing career with Xerox took him far and wide. Wayne earned several President's Club awards and helped launch the Xerox PC powered by the technology that still today allows a mouse to operate. He also proudly helped introduce the world to the fax machine through a TV commercial featuring Roger Staubach and Drew Pearson.

In ways big and small, service to others defined Wayne's life. In Rochester, NY, he volunteered with the Bridge program at Attica Prison, assisting incarcerated men in their transition back into society. In 1975, he was appointed by Collin County Judge Nathan White to serve as President of the Collin County Child Welfare Board and later chaired the North Central Texas Child Welfare Board. He also chaired the Dallas chapter of Amigos de las Américas, sending young volunteers to provide health services throughout Central and South America.

Wayne often said he knew how fortunate he was and had the stories to prove it. During the 1988 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, he collapsed from cardiac arrest just 20 yards from the finish line. Thanks to the heroism of two off-duty paramedics, an anesthesiologist, and an orthopedic surgeon, he survived - and after undergoing quintuple bypass surgery, returned the following year to complete the race.

In 1989, Wayne married Christy Wallace in Lihue, Kauai, marking the beginning of a 36-year partnership filled with travel, fine dining, friendships, and laughter. Together, they embraced semi-retirement, explored the world, built a beloved community, and filled their home in McKinney, Texas, with family, friends, music, and memories.

The family would like to thank his caregiver, Emebet (Amy) Negussie for her extraordinary support and dedication throughout the last two years of Wayne's life.

Wayne is survived by first wife, May, his wife, Christy Wallace Owen, his children, Wayne Pennington Owen Jr. (Ashley) of Fort Worth and Kenneth Andrew Owen of Craig, Alaska; grandchildren, Emily Owen Corley (Brandon), Molly Owen Wilson (Kristopher), Alexandra DiAngelo Owen (Connor), Lewis Kennedy Owen (Emma) and great grandchildren, Chole and Madison Corley, and Owen Wilson and beloved nieces and nephews April Dennis, Holly Pauers, Keith Owen, Brandi Peck and Chris Wallace, Jr. and brother in law Chris Wallace, Sr.

Wayne often said the dash between your birth date and your death date is what really counts. His dash was full. A private celebration of life will be held in New Jersey at a later date. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family invites friends and loved ones to honor Wayne by performing an act of kindness in his memory.