Gary Dean Owen, 70, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, August 11, 2011, at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born July 30, 1941, at Crawfordsville, Iowa, the son of Max A. and Edith Marie Clingman Owen. He graduated from the Crawfordsville High School with the class of 1961. On August 25, 1962, he was united in marriage to Janet Howard at the Evangelical Free Church in Ottumwa. Early on he worked for his father in the family business: Owen and Sons, trenching in phone lines. In 1965 they bought a farm near Bladensburg, Iowa, they farmed there for 14 years. Gary worked nights at John Morrell for a time while the family lived at Bladensburg. In 1979, they boutht a farm in Greentop, Missouri, where he farmed and did custom bulldozer work for 24 years. In 2000 they moved from the farm in Missouri to Oskaloosa. Gary worked for a short time at Vermeer and later for Eldon Zook. In 2003 he became the janitor at the First Church of the Nazarene now Gateway Church of the Nazarene, a position he held currently. Gary was a farmer at heart he truly enjoyed raising his Charolias cattle and being a part of the Charolias Cattle Association. He also enjoyed working on his Model 55 Massey Ferguson tractor, working around the house and farm, and outdoors. He also enjoyed collecting old west meorabilia, watching westerns and reading about that era. He was a very talented heavy equipment operator. He truly enjoyed visiting with people. Gary had a very close relationship with his Lord Jesus Christ he was very passionate about witnessing to people when there was an opportunity. He was a member of the Gateway Nazarene Church where he received the "Distinguished Service Award" in July of 2011. He delighted in spending time with his family.

His family includes his wife, Janet Owen of Oskaloosa; their five children: Tim(Judy)Owen of Greentop, Missouri, Chris(Kim)Owen of Cairo, Missouri, Mindy(Jerry)Newman of University Park, Scott(Jennifer)Owen of Macon, Missouri, and Kayla Owen of Oskaloosa; eleven grandchildren: Tiffany, Jacob, Joshua, Dakota, and Madison Owen, Whitney, Hunter, and Walker Newman, and Trenton, Tanner, and Tucker Gresham; two brothers: Jerry(Reita)Owen of Texas and Edward(Darlene)Owen of Brighton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 15, 2011, at 10 am in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa. Burial will be in the University Park Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangemants. Visitation will begin Sunday morning after 11 am in the funeral chapel with family from 1-4 pm to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Kevin Wescott; Native American Ministry.