John D. Owens

Published 4:50 pm Friday, May 19, 2023

John D. Owens, 77, of Bainbridge, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2023.

The graveside funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Greenshade Cemetery with Rev. Lynn Hurley officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, 1250 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

John Durwood Owens was born November 8, 1945, in Quincy, Fla., the son of Durwood & Jewell Priest Owens. He was a graduate of Quincy High School and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. John married Kay Smith in 1979, and they made their home in Southwest Georgia. He retired from Tallahassee Welding & Machine and was a member of Attapulgus Methodist Church.

John grew up on a tobacco farm, so farming was in his blood. He was passionate about everything he was involved in, but truly loved working the land and tending his chickens. Fishing, turkey hunting, ham radios, and his beloved grandchildren filled his time otherwise. Tying flies was second nature, and fish simply couldn’t resist. John was a welder and machinist by trade, and many throughout South Georgia and North Florida have testified: “if it was metal, John could make it.” Three questions John always asked: Is there gas in the Jeep? Is the battery charger hooked up? What were the dogs doing?

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Kay Smith Owens; his children Tannye & Monroe Rogers of Havana, Fla., Beth & Wade Brown of Sopchoppy, Fla., and T. Rude of Tallahassee, Fla.; his grandchildren, Hunter, Hayden, Caleb & Taylor, and Haley; his great-grandchildren, Caiden & Carter; and his sister, Nancy Suber of Lake Seminole. John was preceded in death by his parents. 

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)