Col. Jesse Roland Owen, Jr. (Retired USAF)

Col. Jesse Roland Owen Jr. (Retired USAF), 87, died Sunday, June 4, 2017, at CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville, NC. He was born in Mars Hill, North Carolina and had lived in Asheville for the past 40 years. Jesse graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1947 and East Carolina University in 1951. He was an active member of Merrimon Baptist Church; a 32 degree Scottish Rite Freemason in Biltmore Lodge 446; and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Zebulan B Vance Camp 15. Jesse had a 25 year career in the US Air Force; was a Pilot and Master Navigator; flew 100 Combat missions in Vietnam and earned seven Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was Commander of Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Berlin, Germany before retiring to Asheville in 1977. He enjoyed his second 15 year career at the Buncombe County Department of Social Services in Asheville before retiring in 1991. Jesse is survived by his wife Mary Ann Johnson Owen, of Asheville; two sons, Tony Owen (Stacy) of Richmond, VA and Mark Owen (JoAnn) of Orlando, FL; two grandsons, Kyle Owen and Austin Owen of Orlando, FL.; and four nephews, Forney Hoke of Asheville, NC, Frank Hoke of Raleigh, NC, Dean Alspaugh of Asheville, NC and Carl Alspaugh of Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents; Rev. Jesse R. Owen, Sr. and Nell Bishop Owen; and eldest son, Jesse R. Owen III. Memorial Services will held at Groce Funeral Home (Patton Ave) on Friday, June 9, 2016 (receiving 10-11am; service 11am-noon; and graveside services afterward at Green Hills Cemetery). The Rev. Daniel Dockery will officiate.