George Wesley Owens

George Wesley Owens, 85, a resident of Russellville, went home to be with The Lord Sunday, March 6, 2016, at the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville. He was born March 23, 1930, on Crow Mountain, to Elisha and Minnie Ella Jones Owens. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War, worked for International Shoe Company for 22 years, worked for Kellam Vending Company for 7 years and was also a Private Investigator. He was the first martial arts instructor in Pope County and was a 10th Degree Blackbelt, founding Owens American Kempo Karate and Ki-Aikido School. He was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1993 and in 1996 was inducted in the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was awarded the Champion of Courage by the Martial Arts Grandmasters International and earned the "Grandmaster" title in 1996. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award "Teacher of Teachers" by the IKSA in 2013. He was the first professional SCUBA diver in Pope County and attended the first SCUBA diving class in Arkansas. He operated Owens Diving Service for 20 years. He was a member of the First Assembly of God at Russellville and the American Legion. Above all, he was a student of the Bible and had an unwavering faith in the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Logan White; and a brother-in-law, Argle Davis. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Flora Owens of Russellville; a son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Susan Owens of Russellville; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Tony Lewis of Russellville; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Bernice Davis of Russellville; three sisters-in-law and their families, Magdalena Tee of Russellville, Crispina Ebron of Russellville and Cresencia Quiachon of California; three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law and their families who live in the Philippines; and other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2016, at First Assembly of God in Russellville with the Rev. Ronnie Morris, the Rev. Geno Johnston, the Rev. Bud Avants and the Rev. Mike Norberg officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park at Russellville under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Active pallbearers will be James Warren, David Engler, Gary Hogue, Floyd Burk, Gary Buzbee and Paul Tee. Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Bunton, Dennis Rappe, Dr. James Smith, Dr. James Crouch, Dr. Angel Cestero and the members of the Petra Sunday School Class at Russellville First Assembly of God. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9th, 2016 at Humphrey Funeral Service. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane, Russellville,Arkansas 72801. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.