Bonham, Texas -- Edward Owens Jr., affectionately known to all as Eddie, was a beacon of light and a pillar of faith in his community. Born on January 30, 1943, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Eddie's life was a testament to service, kindness, and devotion. He spent his childhood in Sherman, Honey Grove and Bonham, where he graduated from Bonham High School. His earthly journey came to a peaceful close on June 11, 2025, in Bonham, Texas, where he was surrounded by the love and prayers of those he had touched so deeply.
Eddie's formative years were spent in his birthplace of Wichita Falls, where he laid the foundation for a life characterized by generosity and faith. After completing some college, he answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army, an experience that would further shape his principles of discipline and commitment. Following his military service, Eddie embarked on a career with the Union Pacific Railroad, dedicating 18 years before retiring with the respect of his colleagues.
His work, however, was far from over. Eddie's heart and soul were deeply intertwined with his Christian faith, leading him to serve as the Assistant Pastor of New Life Church of God In Christ from 1999 until his passing in 2025. His spiritual leadership was a source of comfort and guidance to his congregation, and his profound words from the pulpit will resonate for years to come. Eddie's love for the open road also saw him take up truck driving after his retirement from the railroad, a vocation he enjoyed from 2001 to 2012.
To know Eddie was to know a man of great stature, both in presence and in spirit. He was often referred to as a "Gentle Giant," a man whose profound words were matched only by his generous actions. His sense of humor brought joy and laughter to all around him, and his love for the Lord was unwavering. Eddie was indeed a mighty man of faith, one who lived his beliefs every day through acts of kindness and a steadfast commitment to his family.
Those who had the privilege of crossing paths with Eddie universally describe him as generous, gentle, and faith-filled. His legacy is not only in the sermons he preached or the miles he drove but in the countless lives he enriched through his selflessness and his unwavering belief in the goodness of others.
As we bid farewell to Edward Owens Jr., we celebrate a life well-lived, a journey marked by love, service, and an unshakable faith in his Savior. While he will be deeply missed, his spirit lives on in the hearts of those he inspired, the community he served, and the family he loved so dearly. Eddie has now entered his eternal home, where he rests in the glory of the Lord he so passionately served. May his memory be a blessing to all, and may his example of a life rooted in faith continue to guide us on our own paths.
He is preceded in death by parents, Rosie Denson, and father, Edward Owens Sr. Those left to cherish his memory, wife of 60 years, Marilyn Owens, son, Edward Owens, Derren Walker (Brandi), daughter, Derith Walker (Corie Brigham), daughter, Kelsa Horton, spiritual children, Sylvester Smart (Christi), sister, Velma Mason, granddaughters, Aiziah Walker, Kandycee Walker, Jaidyn Williams, Adriana Horton, Kilynn Roberts, Derlyah Walker, Braxton Walker, great-grandson, Jelahni Murrell, and a host of nieces and nephews.
The service is Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Wise Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 p.m., Sylvester Smart officiating. Visitation is the night before from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Gates Hill Cemetery in Bonham, TX. Pastor Gatlin will officiate the service.
