Thomas Warren Owens

OWENS, THOMAS WARREN Sept. 12, 1961 to April 25, 2008 It is with great sorrow that his family announces Thom's passing. He spent his final days surrounded by family and friends from all over the country. Thom grew up in Pacific Beach and spent summers in Denmark with his sister. Thom was very proud of his Danish and Dutch heritage. He wore lederhosen to his first day of kindergarten at Kate Sessions Elementary but survived that experience to become a quintessential California surfer and a baseball player at Mission Bay High School. Thom's personality was a one-of-a-kind blend of laid-back surfer dude, career-driven filmmaker, and dedicated family man all tied together with old world graciousness and warmth. Thom attended San Francisco State, pursuing his passion for filmmaking and attended USC film school. He became a cinematographer and enjoyed a long career with NFL films. He worked on many movies, among them The Replacements, Traffic, The Scorpion King, Dodgeball, The Longest Yard, Fun with Dick and Jane, Friday Night Lights, Transformers, and Death Sentence. His exuberance for his work was a hallmark of Thom's personality. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie and mentoring relationships he found on film sets. Thom met the love of his life, Christie Dotson, in 1979. They were married in 1987 and have two beautiful daughters, Annelise, 18, and Carolyn, 13. The Owens family lives in Scripps Ranch, and Thom was involved in all the activities in which his daughters participated. He was a presence on the softball field whenever his filming schedule permitted and was quick to help all the players on the team, not just his daughters, making him a favorite among parents and players alike. Carrie followed in her Dad's footsteps to become an all-star catcher, a source of much pride and father-daughter bonding time. Thom and Carrie were a familiar sight at The Batter's Box. Thom also delighted in watching Annie play volleyball and, in recent months, helping Annie choose and get accepted by the perfect college was a major source of joy for both of them. Thom and Christie worked as a wonderful team all these years, with Christie holding down the home front while Thom worked on movie sets all over the country. They treasured the extended time they got to spend as a couple during filming breaks. They made the most of the time they had after Thom became ill, supporting and loving each other in a way that many people never get to experience even if they are privileged to have more time together than Thom and Christie were permitted. Thom's parents, John H. Owens, Colonel USAF Retired, and Agnete Owens predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Christie, and daughters, Annelise, and Carolyn Owens; siblings Susse Hughes and Carsten Owens; nephew Tony Owens; and in-laws Leroy Dotson, Carol Dotson, Wendy Dotson, and Darryl, Karen, Seth and Chancel Dotson. Family and friends too numerous to list will miss Thom and support his family in his absence. The family would like to express their appreciation to the Dr. Pushpundu Banerjee and his professional staff, especially the wonderful nurses who provided excellent and loving care, and to San Diego Hospice (www.sdhospice.org). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the hospice program or to the Annelise and Carrie Owens education fund (account number 3403112662). Checks may be mailed directly to Washington Mutual bank at 9994 Scripps Ranch Blvd., San Diego, CA 92131 or in care of D. Ouellette at 11175 Negley Ave. San Diego, CA 92131. A celebration of Thom's life will be held on Monday, May 5, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning with a memorial service and followed by a reception, at The Admiral Kidd Club at NTC, Harbor Drive and Laning Road, San Diego, CA 92133.