Ricky Rex Owens

1945 - 2025

Ricky Rex Owens (79), also known as Rick, Paps, Coach Owens, or Coach O, died unexpectedly at Methodist Hospital on March 29, 2025. He was born on December 8, 1945, to Julia Owens and the late Homer Owens, Jr. Rick was a 1964 Union High School graduate, actively involved in 4-H, cross country, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Rick fell in love with basketball very young and has followed this passion ever since. Rick became the All-County scoring leader in high school, scoring 1,464 points. After high school, he went on to play basketball for Ball State University on scholarship. The following year, Rick enlisted in the Navy, where he played basketball, softball, and volleyball. After serving in the Navy for four years, he returned to Modoc, where he began farming with his father and grandfather, Homer Owens, Sr. At a young age, Rick would go with his father and watch him officiate, always sitting on the team's bench with the smallest player. He enjoyed watching his father officiate and Homer's friendships with coaches, officials, and players. So, it was in 1971 when Rick called his first foul and continued to do so for 33 years. During those 33 years, he officiated 29 sectionals, 19 regionals, seven semi-states, and a maximum of 3 state championships. Rick and his father Homer, Jr. were the first father-son duo to officiate together. In 2000, Rick received the Roy Gardner award from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association, which is given annually to the state's top official. In 2019, Rick was recognized as a Center Circle Official by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. His father had been recognized in 2010, making them the first father-son duo recognized by the Center Circle Officials.
In 1996, Rick began coaching girls' basketball at Union Jr/Sr High School, where he was an assistant coach (4 years), and in 2000, he became the head coach for four years. In 2005, he became an assistant coach for Winchester Community High School (6 years). In 2010, he became the head coach at Winchester until 2014, winning their most recent sectional championship in 2011. After a short-term retirement from coaching at Winchester, he was soon called to assist at Monroe Central Jr/Sr High School, where he has been as assistant coach for ten years. He indeed has been a mentor to many young basketball athletes. When asked about retiring, he always said, "Maybe next year," or "I'll go one more," or "we'll see." He just could not stay away from the game of basketball that he fell in love with as a young kid.
Although basketball was a huge part of Rick's life, he had many other interests. He loved to work in his garden with his tomatoes, okra, zucchini, potatoes, and strawberries, filling up the pantry for winter. For the past twenty years, once a month, Rick and his seven buddies get together for card night, enjoying laughter, friendship, and a meal. Besides playing cards, he was an avid reader, reading at least 100 books a year, and enjoyed a good mystery. In 2014, Rick and Nicki started camping, and over the years, they have taken 116 trips, visiting 26 states, often finding the nearest golf course at every stop.
He is survived by his mother, Julia Owens, his sister Rebecca Krueger (Everett), Delaware, OH, his wife Nicki Bosworth, of 27 years, one son, Owen Ogden, Jr. (Diane), Lynn, four daughters, Tammy Roark, Lynn, Laura Lambert, Indianapolis, Jeri Sue Owens, Muncie, and Dawn Harman (Mike), Modoc. A stepdaughter, Angie (Aaron) Wright, Farmland, and a stepson, Scott Longnecker (Milena), Helendale, CA. Eight grandsons, Josh Cook (Aletha), Tyler Roark (Beth), Travis Ogden (Tara), Quinton Price, Noah Price (Merry Dare), Elijah Owens, Jonathan Harman, Gabriel Harman, and Lennon Longnecker. Five granddaughters, Amber Hancock (Marco), Amy Steward (Keith), Brooke Booth (Tyler), Madeline Roark, Emily Roark, Linnea Longnecker, and Larissa Longnecker, and one great-granddaughter, Rylee Price.
He is preceded in death by his Grandparents, Homer Owens, Sr, Esther Owens, and Ethel Sullivan, his father, Homer Owens, Jr., and his first wife of 27 years, Margie Bell Owens.
Calling hours are from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Monroe Central Jr/Sr High School main gym on Friday, April 4, 2025. The service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Farmland Friends Church gym officiated by Pastor Dennis Owens, and visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Following the funeral service, burial will be at the Huntsville Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Monroe Central Athletic Scholarship, Randolph County 4H Future Funds, Randolph County Beef Producers or Sheep/Goats (envelopes will be provided during visitation and the funeral). Arrangements have been entrusted to MJS Mortuaries – Farmland Chapel.