James Owen
October 22, 1922 ~ September 29, 2010
Owen, James William “Bill”, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2010. Funeral service will be 3:00 pm Wednesday, September 29, 2010, Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Bill was born in Tulsa, OK, October 22, 1922, to Della E. and Everett R. Owen. He left Tulsa University at age 19 to enlist in the Army Air Force as a pilot during WWII, where he was stationed in Saipan. Bill flew 35 bombing missions over Japan and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he settled in Wichita with his sister and brother-in-law, Helen and E. Louis Birmingham. He then finished his education at Wichita University where he earned a degree in Petroleum Geology. In 1954, he and friend, Todd Aikins, partnered to form Thunderbird Drilling, Inc. Together they celebrated nearly 40 years in a successful business. Bill was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing often. He played on many different courses throughout the world, his favorite being St. Andrews, Scotland. He also enjoyed fishing for Walleye Pike and spent every August for many years with his entire family in Minaki, Ontario. Bill was a member of the Wichita Country Club and past member of Bulls and Bears Investment Club, the Flying Birdmen, the Conferee of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, Wichita Petroleum Club, and the Pauma Valley Country Club in Pauma Valley, CA. Bill is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughters, Wendy Owen Gebhart and, Carol Owen Beckner (Arnold), all of Wichita; son, Kirk William Owen; step-children, Emily Bump Fromm (Timothy) of Kansas City, John Clayton Bump of Wichita; grandchildren, Ryan Christopher Gebhart, Wichita; Devon Michelle Gebhart, Los Angeles and step grandchildren; Paige Taylor Fromm, Alexis Leigh Fromm and Charles OBryan Fromm all of Kansas City. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the The ARC of Sedgwick County, (formerly the Association for Retarded Citizens), 2919 W. 2nd, Wichita, KS, 67203.
The funeral service will be 3:00 PM Wednesday, September 29, 2010.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
My family thoughts and prays are with your family. I know how tough this is on everone after we lost my father in 89. Todd, Bill and my father ( John Brewer) spent nearly 30 years togther putting oil deal and drilling them. They all loved the bussiness, but they all loved there families too. I remember going to the office many times when I was young and each of them loved to talk about there families. It was a partnership of Geologist that worked out very well for each of them and the families. We all got to do many things that most people could only have dreamed of. Your father was the last of the three who where there that October day back in 1961 with the Tobias Oil field was discovered. That field gave all of us many good things in life and continues to give.
Dearest Brenda and Wendy and Family of Bill:What a first class act he was and always a gentleman. So much fun to be with and his love for you two and the rest of his family was always evident. My prayers are with you at this difficult time and will see you tomorrow at 3..
Our hearts go out to the entire Owen family. Bill’s generosity and support was instrumental in the growth of The Arc of Sedgwick County and the establishment of our current facility in West Wichita. A limestone pillar bearing his name reminds us daily of how one man can make a difference in so many lives.