Jack W. Owen

AUBURN | Jack W. Owen, 66, of Auburn, passed away peacefully Friday, July 13, 2018, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

He was a lifelong resident of Auburn, born to the late Robert and Ruth Owen. Jack retired from Auburn Correctional Facility after more than 31 years of service as a corrections officer. Upon retirement, Jack worked for several years at St. Mary’s Church, and then for ARC until his recent illness.

He had the mind of an engineer - a true jack-of-all-trades. He spent a lot of his free time working with his hands, and was a talented woodworker. This hobby delighted his friends and family, who over the years were the lucky recipients of his creations, which included end-grain cutting boards, fine furniture, and other beautiful works he assembled at his home in Auburn. Jack also enjoyed tinkering with his 1972 Dodge Demon, which he bought new as a young man. His attention to the Demon was rewarded at a local car show in 2009, when he brought home a trophy for having one of the finest cars of the lot.

He was generally handy, and used this talent to help friends, family, and others who needed a skilled person for a project. If there was a tool for a job, Jack had it. If something needed to be fixed, he could figure it out. And while he was a doer, he was also a great teacher, sharing his knowledge with anyone interested in listening. And if you listened long enough, you may have even had a chance to hear him tell a story or two, which were always animated and entertaining.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Sharon Dixon Owen, of Auburn; two daughters, Michelle Owen, of Georgia, and Kimberly Owen Meeker and son-in-law, David Meeker, of Vermont; two granddaughters, Olivia and Julia Meeker; brother-in-law, Billy Bowen, of Auburn; niece, Abbie Bowen Reeder, of Pennsylvania; cousins, Lori and June, and many close friends and colleagues. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 20, at the Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn. Services are at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Matthew House, 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn, NY 13021.

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