Ray Owen

Dr. Ray Allen Owen, 90, of Fort Wayne, through faith and the grace of God, passed on to be with his risen Savior Jesus Christ, on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Greystone Health and Rehab. He was born in Avilla on February 9, 1932, to the late Forrest L. and Verna Alene (Kimmel) Owen. He graduated from Avilla High School in 1950. He earned a B.S. and M.S. degree from Indiana University and a Doctorate in Education from Ball State University. Ray served in the U.S. Army. He was a teacher and principal in Fort Wayne. His career later included a full professorship and an appointment as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Retirement included time in Florida and a return to Fort Wayne to be with family. He was involved in Bethel Ministries Church in various leadership roles and taught Sunday School for many years. Ray met his loving wife, Sue (Winn) Owen, during their teaching assignment at Nebraska Elementary School in Fort Wayne. Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sue Owen; three sons, Gary (Debbie) Owen, Steven Owen, and David (Jill) Owen; a sister, Daisy Edwards; five grandchildren, Chris (Stephanie) Owen, Keith (Sydney) Owen, Carrie (Josh) Nahrwold, Rachel Owen, and Paris Owen; great-grandchildren, Elliot and Lily Owen, and Wesley Nahrwold. Ray loved his large family and is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Sandee Owen; two sisters, Freda Green and Dorothy Van Gorder; six brothers, Forrest "Junior," Roscoe, Keith, Calvin, Phil, and Bernard. A Celebration of life service will be held at Bethel Ministries Church, 8405 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., with calling one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bethel Ministries Church. www.Bethelchurchfw.com. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.