Raymond A. Owen, Jr.

Raymond Answell Owen, Jr., 59, of 127 East First North, Eden, WY, died Thursday, April 15, 2004, at his home following a two year illness. He was born January 1, 1945, in Raleigh, the son of Clara Mae Upchurch Owen and the late Raymond Answell Owen, Sr. He was a former resident of Asheville and of Angier, NC and had lived in Eden for the past four years. He was a 1963 graduate of Angier High School and attended Real Estate School and Mendenhall Auction School. He was self-employed as a tobacco warehouseman and had also been employed as a rodeo producer, auctioneer, realtor and stock contractor. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and his interests included spending time with his family and as an avid outdoorsman. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Dottie Lynn McColl Owen, whom he married in Powell, WY November 1, 1997; three sons, Marty Owen and Keith Owen and their mother Sandy Owen of North Carolina and Wesley Warren of Wyoming; two daughters Kortni Owen and Megan Owen of Wyoming; one sister Brenda McLamb of North Carolina; three grandchildren Kalyn Owen, Jake Owen and Kylie Owen; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and by one brother, Ronnie Owen. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Wilbur Thomas at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M. in Asheville. His family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. His family will then receive friends again from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday at Bryan Lee Funeral Home in Angier with graveside services and interment at 2:00 pm. Saturday at Lakeside Memorial Cemetery in Angier.