Austin James Owens

1993 - 2017

Austin James Owen, 23, of Springville Ca. unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, February 19th, 2017. Austin was born in Lindsay Ca. on March 26th, 1993. Austin was named after his father James Owen and great-grandfather Austin Rutherford, both of whom were in the timber industry. So it came as no surprise that he would follow in their footsteps and become a timber faller after all it was in his blood. Under the instruction of his mentors, his father and Dennis Brown, Austin grew to become a skilled woodsman often found high in the tops of trees using his skills to remove their tops. 
Austin grew up in Springville Ca. attending Springville School from kindergarten thru eighth grade. He continued his high school career at Butterfield Charter High School graduating in 2011. After graduation Austin spent some time in construction but quickly moved into logging. It was there that he found his true passion topping trees. The videos and pictures of him cutting trees do little justice to show the joy and sense of pride he felt when he was in the woods working. However, anyone who spent a minute talking to him would see how much he loved what he did and how proud he was to be the one to carry on a family tradition. Austin's life was lived in the woods whether it was running hounds with his dad and brother or working, from the time he was a baby to an adult more times than not he could be found in the mountains.
As evidenced by his chosen profession Austin enjoyed anything that was considered by most to be extreme. As a young child he would often be seen riding his dirt bike around town or on the Sanders property. As an adult he grew fond of riding in the desert with his friends most of which had known him since he was born. He also loved to go snowboarding spending many weekends at China Peak. He truly lived his life to the fullest.
Where there walks a logger there walks a man that certainly holds true with Austin. With Austin we lost a son, brother, uncle, grandson, and best friend.   For those of us who were privileged enough to know him it is a loss that will not soon be forgotten. His smile, big heart, contagious laugh and firm handshake could comfort anybody. It is with heavy hearts and a profound sense of loss that we say goodbye to Austin and the happiness that he shared with us who were fortunate enough to be blessed by his presence.