Chad Michael Owen

1974 - 2017

Chad Michael Owen

Chad Michael Owen, born in Akron, Ohio, February 5, 1974, died of an accidental drug overdose due to carfentanil toxicity on October 29, 2016.

He is survived by his sister, Cheri Owen-Sorkin; sister-in-law, Jenni Sorkin; pets, Riley, Pat and Zima; five beautiful sons who he loved dearly, Tyler, Kyle, Preston, Cameron and Ryan; was beloved grandson of Jean Stewart (deceased); beloved nephew to Michael Stewart (deceased); mother, Colleen Kemp; and other family in Ohio and North Carolina.

Chad has always been my little brother: he was a die-hard Los Angeles Dodgers and Dallas Cowboys fan; he loved baseball, and the ocean. He was sarcastically funny, could laugh at himself, and loved being teased and to tease those back. He loved debating politics, he loved movies, especially sitting in the front in the middle of the row with a coke and didn't mind if he missed the previews. He wanted his clothes to match from head to toe, mostly the shoes. He loved animals, he loved nature, he loved McDonalds, and he wouldn't eat anything green unless it was hidden from him. He loved it when there wasn't a cloud in the sky. He was a dreamer, and an "in the moment" kind of guy. He could drive you crazy but at the same time make you laugh. He was reflective and intuitive, and sometimes sad. He loved and missed his sons. He was one of the few who could make me laugh, really laugh about myself and he cared, deeply. I could trust him with what was most important in my life. He was like an onion with many layers. Most people only got to experience the first couple, but once he allowed you in and to dig deeper, you saw the depth of his soul. And with all of these beautiful parts he struggled, as we all do, with our demons. Chad didn't wake up one day and decide to use drugs. Several years ago he got injured. Drugs were prescribed to him, in the beginning, by a pain management clinic and it was a downhill spiral from there. He was on an uphill path when he passed. He never intended to not wake up. He was looking forward to so much in his newfound life and his ultimate goal was, one day, to reunite with his sons. But intentions many times fall short. This "one last time" ended his life way too soon. Chad will be missed.

There was no ceremony for my brother. That is not what he wanted. Any donations can be mailed to a fund created on his behalf called the "Do Betters Fund" in order to help others strive to be better each day, one day at a time. Please make checks payable to: Community Health Center and mail to: Community Health Center Foundation, c/o Kimberly Martell, 838 Coburn Street, Akron, OH 44311.