James W. M. Owens M.D.

1934 - 2014

James W. M. Owens, MD

The world has lost an extraordinary man. Dr. James Owens went to be with his Lord on November 1, 2014, as a result of complications from Alzheimer's. He was 80 years old. In the spirit of his heroes, Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa, Jim lived a life of service that reached around the world. Countless people walk the earth and lead better lives because of Jim's expert and kindhearted medical care. Jim was a gentle spirit whose very presence could calm an angry teenager, or give hope to a desperate Ethiopian mother and her malnourished child.

Jim was born in Syracuse, NY on April 11, 1934. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from the State University of New York Medical School at Syracuse. He completed his residency and chief residency in pediatrics at New York Hospital in New York City before coming to Seattle in 1963 to serve in the Public Health Service. All it took was one view of Mount Rainier and Jim decided to make the Northwest his home. In 1965 he married the love of his life, Ann Lounsbery - becoming the inseparable team of DO (Doctor Owens) and AO (Ann Owens).

After working in private practice for a few years, Jim joined the pediatrics faculty at the University of Washington and soon after became the medical director for Echo Glen Children's Center in North Bend, where he worked for 30 years. In the incarcerated children there, he found those he called "America's Refugees" - children often forgotten by society but universally treated by Jim with compassion and respect. Throughout his adolescent medicine career and even after he retired, Jim worked to ensure the quality of basic health care in America's jails, prisons and juvenile facilities through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

Jim's call to overseas service began in 1979. While watching TV coverage of the Cambodian refugee crisis, Jim found tears in his eyes and knew he was needed. He was at World Concern the next day with his passport in his pocket, and he left shortly thereafter to spend two months in a Cambodian refugee camp. The next year he returned to Thailand with his wife and 2 young sons. From there, his medical journeys took him to 9 countries over the next 15 years, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Lebanon. The master's degree he earned in public health from the University of California at Berkeley in 1974 was put to good use in setting up health delivery systems in refugee crises.

Jim was also a devoted Boy Scout leader and was active in this organization from his college days through to his own boys' involvement. He earned the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished leadership and service. In 1983, in recognition of his outstanding volunteer work, he received the Jefferson Award from the American Institute of Public Service. He was an elder and active member of University Presbyterian Church. Jim loved all kinds of music, and regularly attended the opera, symphony, musicals, plays, and concerts - staying awake through many of them.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph F. Owens and Sarah R. Manier, and his two older brothers, Joseph F. Owens, Jr. and Emmet M. Owens.

Jim is survived by Ann, his remarkable wife of 49 years; son Jim, Jr., his wife Alise, and their daughter Sarah; son John, his wife Judy, and their daughters Samantha Boeve (Ryan) and Taylor; and numerous adoring nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Friday, November 21 at 1:00 PM, at University Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Avenue NE, Seattle. Donations may be sent in Jim's memory

to Commemorative Giving, Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005 or University Presbyterian Church, or any charity that you feel represents Jim's values.

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Guest Book at www.Legacy.com.