Charles Owens

1930 - 2025

He was 95.

Chuck was born Sept. 17, 1930 in Spokane, the eighth of nine children of John and Olivine Owens of nearby Reardan. He and his eight siblings grew up in Reardan during the Great Depression. There, they learned the value of hard work and making the best of what they had available to them. Chuck attended school in Reardan and was a 1948 graduate Reardan High School.

Chuck moved to Spokane after high school and worked his way through college at Gonzaga University. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1952, then served two years in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a bookkeeper and accountant.

During his time at Gonzaga, Chuck met Kathleen "Kath" Parker and the two were married in June 1953 in Shelby, Mont., Kath's hometown. The couple made their first home in Spokane, where Chuck found work in a furniture store and later as a salesman and sales manager for Burroughs Corp., a technology company specializing in business information systems. Kath worked in a bank until the birth of the couple's first child, Jerry.

Known as Chuck & Kath to their many friends and relations, the couple would go on to have four more children - Lynn, Theresa, John and Mary K. The couple enjoyed entertaining in their Spokane home and regularly played bridge and golfed with friends and neighbors.

Except for a few years living in Kalispell, Mont., the family called Spokane home until 1975, when Chuck accepted a promotion from Burroughs to become the company's district manager in Reno.

Chuck and Kath purchased a spacious home in the Stonegate neighborhood of Reno. But in 1978, Kath died unexpectedly at age 49 and Chuck suddenly became a single parent.

Despite the devastating loss, he continued rearing the couple's children - the youngest two still living at home - and working at his management position to support the family. All five children earned college degrees and launched successful careers.

When the last and youngest, Mary K., completed her degree, the five siblings held a "graduation" ceremony to celebrate Chuck and his support throughout their respective educations.

Meanwhile, Chuck continued working at Burroughs through the company's acquisition of competitor Sperry Corp., with the merged companies taking the name Unisys Corp. When the merger closed in 1986, Chuck accepted an early retirement offer. But that wasn't the end of his working career.

With his children raised and out of the house, Chuck sold the Stonegate house and purchased a rental property. He became the live-in owner and manager and enjoyed making improvements to the property as well as meeting and befriending with many of his tenants. He also used his accounting experience to provide free tax-preparation for the elderly while volunteering at the senior center, where he was a regular at the card table for games of bridge and pinochle.

Chuck's chief enjoyment throughout, however, was his family. He loved being a husband and father, a grandfather and great-grandfather and a brother and uncle. He spent many hours with his grandchildren, rarely missing a performance or sports event in which one or more of them was involved. Chuck's pride in his grandchildren was unwavering.

Chuck was quick to offer help to a friend or even a stranger. He was known for his work ethic and his quick wit and humor. He had a talent for making people feel welcome. And he loved a good joke or story and was himself an adept storyteller, often about his days as a youngster working and growing up in Reardan.

Chuck is survived by his children and their spouses: Jerry Owens (Miriam Hewitt) of Lacey, Wash.; Lynn Stapp (David) of Seattle; Theresa Hays (James) of Vancouver, Wash.; and John Owens (Mary) and Mary K. Knobel (Mark), both of Reno, Nev. He is also survived by a younger brother, Jerry Owens of Bremerton, Wash.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service and Celebration of Life have been scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee-Reno Meadows. To learn more, go online to https://bgctm.org/get-involved/donate/.