Melvin Owens

Melvin Eugene Owens, son of the late King David and Sarah Lela (Cook) Owens, was born April 4, 1931, in Diggins, Missouri. He passed away August 27, 2024, at his home in Seymour, Missouri. He was 93 years, 4 months, and 23 days of age.

In 1925 Apostolic evangelists came through the Seymour/Diggins area preaching the Acts 2:38 message. Melvin’s parents went to see what the Holy Ghost experience was all about and were quick to obey the Word of God. Melvin’s father was rarely seen without a Bible in hand and with the principles of God’s word, Melvin and his siblings were taught.

Melvin grew up on the family farm in Diggins where his parents relied heavily on him to help sustain his family during rough times. He attended school at Gentry and was an excellent student. 

He was drafted into the United States Army and willingly served his country during the Korean War. He went to boot camp at Ft. Riley in January 1952, and entered the conflict on the front lines in July 1952, where he received a purple heart. 

After his military service he returned home to later marry the love of his life Deloris Helms on May 22, 1959. This union was blessed with four children, Kelli, Gale, Curtis and Ladeana. Melvin purchased the family farm where he and Deloris raised their children, ran a dairy which later transitioned to beef farming and drove a school bus for the Seymour school district. He was also an iron worker for the Kansas City local 10 union. Melvin and Deloris were married for 62 years, before Deloris’ passing on September 16, 2021.

Melvin was a wonderful father, grandfather, and neighbor. He was a reliable friend, and one could always count on him for help. He didn’t meet a stranger, and if you were around him any time at all, he would have you laughing. He loved to tease, sing silly songs, and was downright fun to be around!

Besides his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by four brothers, Hershel, Raymond, Robert, and Bill Owens; and three sisters, Mildred Sullivan, Marjorie Stafford, and Alfreda Emerick.

He is survived by one son, Curtis Owens and wife, Glenda, of Jefferson City, three daughters, Kelli Myers and husband, Randy, of Seymour, Gale Freeman and husband, Jerry, of Rogersville, and Ladeana Campbell and husband, Aaron, of Seymour; eleven grandchildren and their spouses, Ryan Myers, Heather and Richard Martin, Jessica and Joey Woods, Jerry Freeman III, Laquen Freeman, Rachel Freeman, Brianna and Matthew Warren, Jonathan Owens, Stephen Owens, Blake and Ellie Campbell, and Jackson Campbell; fourteen great-grandchildren, Emma, Waylon, Holden, Conner, Jason, Evie, Dylan, Julie, Brigid, Zain, Ezra, Rian, Juda and Charlotte numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.