Tom Owen, beloved husband of the late Helen R. Owen, passed away on Thursday, 22 March 2012 at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Columbia, Maryland at the age of 80 years.

Tom was born on 27 Nov 1931 at Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Norman Owen and Helen Gourley. He was the second of seven children and spent his early years growing up in Calgary. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 12 years old along with his father, Norman and three of his siblings. At age 17 years he joined the Royal Canadian Air force, where he served for 19 years. In 1955 he met Helen Maller, his future companion at a church dance in Calgary. They were married at the Cardston LDS Temple on 23 Jul 1955. Together they lived in Cold Lake, Alberta, Barrie, Ontario, Edmonton and Calgary. Through various transfers with the Canadian Air Force they lived for a time in Germany before returning to Canada. In 1972 Tom and Helen moved with their five children to Perth, Western Australia where the family lived for five years. In 1976 the family returned to Calgary where they lived for 20 years. Tom and Helen served an 18 month mission to Queensland, Australia in 1997. In 1999 Tom and Helen moved to Lethbridge where they lived until Helen passed away in January of 2010. Tom moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to be close to his son Steve and then moved again to Columbia, Maryland in 2011 – again to be close to family.

Tom loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved to read scholarly books on topics of religion and politics. He also enjoyed science fiction novels. He was active in the LDS church all of his adult years and served faithfully in many church callings including: Branch President, High Councilor, Bishop's Councilor, Sunday School Teacher and Group Leader for the High Priests. He was a deeply spiritual person and had a simple faith that guided him throughout his life. Tom loved to tell (and retell) jokes and humorous stories. He managed to maintain his sense of humor at all times – even in the face of challenging times.

Tom is survived by his five children: Mark (Terri) Owen of Vancouver, BC, Kevin (Ginny) Owen of Meridian, Idaho, Graham Owen of Calgary, Alberta, Cynthia (Craig) Matthews of Sachse, Texas and Steven (Laura) Owen of Arnold, Maryland. Tom is also survived by his siblings James Owen of Edmonton, Alberta, Don (Molly) Owen of Vancouver, BC, Lynn LePage of Red Deer, Alberta, and Larry Owen of Alberta. Helen and Tom have 13 grandchildren all of whom they loved dearly.

Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Sunday, March 25th from 7-9 pm at the Barranco & Sons, Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy. Severna Park, Maryland. The funeral service will be held at Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral home located at 703 13 St N Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada on Saturday morning, 31 March 2012 at 10am. A viewing will be held at 9am that same day with burial to follow in the Lethbridge Mountain View Cemetery.