Joseph Andrew Owens

Joseph Andrew Owens

December 12, 1940 - September 3, 2023

JOSEPH ANDREW OWENS II

December 12, 1940 - September 3, 2023

 

Joe was born on December 12, 1940, in Beaumont, Texas, to Jane Clark and Joseph Andrew Owens. He graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia and The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

 

Joe founded three successful businesses. In 1974, in Lexington, Kentucky, he co-founded International Spike, which made Jobe's tree food spikes. In 1983, along with Dick Grandy, he established Easy Gardener in Waco, TX, best known for Weed Block. In 1996, he purchased a small ready mix concrete company in Central Texas, now Tex Mix Partners, which has expanded throughout the state and is managed by his son, Logan. While building his businesses, Joe ran a cattle ranch in Bosque County as both a hobby and venture.

 

Joe was an avid golfer, bird hunter, and fly fisherman. He enjoyed playing croquet, watching boxing, and was a Kentucky basketball fanatic. He relished meals at Griff's with his guys before heading to the ranch to check fences, watch for deer, always hoping for a flush of quail. Joe loved gathering his family and friends together for dinner parties, golfing, and hunting. It was during these times that he soaked in the jokes, conversations, and fellowship he dearly loved.

 

A home with a view was important to Joe. Whether it was Waco, the Logan Ranch, Carrizo, Highlands, Channels Ranch or Grand Cayman - the view was spectacular.

 

He was a founding member of Channels Ranch and belonged to both Ridgewood Country Club and Highlands Country Club. Although Parkinson's disease curtailed his active lifestyle, Joe's love for people and his desire to live a full life remained undiminished. He was known for his quick wit and a slightly off-the-wall sense of humor. Though he was soft-spoken, his colorful tales served as a testament to living life to its fullest and valuing the bond of family and friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Joseph Andrew Owens III (J).

 

He is survived by his wife, Robin; his son, Douglas Owens, his wife, Jenny, and their sons, Walker and J.; his son, Logan Owens, his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Eleanor and Simon; his daughter, Emily Bankhead, her husband, John, and their daughters, Lulah, Hollis, Madeline, and Ebie; his sister, Florence Dodington, her husband, Tom, and their children, Spencer, Scott, and Ellen.

 

Many thanks to Joe Ivy, John Womack, Sheila Jones, and Travis Daniels for keeping him active as long as possible. And to Suzette Gordon, Greg Smith, and Lochmin Fung for their help during Joe's last years.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help fight this cruel disease:

 

Parkinson's Foundation

200 SE 1st Street Suite 800

Miami, FL 33131

or

The Michael J Fox Parkinson's Research

Grand Central Station

P.O. Box 4777

New York, NY 10163-4777

or

donations@michaeljfox.org