Thomas "Tom" J Owens

Thomas J. Owens, Jr. died peacefully at home, after a several month struggle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 19, 1951 in Tarrytown, NY, to Thomas J. and Susan E. (Sheridan). Tom moved to Melbourne, Florida with his family in 1964. Tom graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes and Melbourne High School. He was a veteran of the USAF; he served at Warner-Robbins AFB, Georgia and was stationed at Incirlik, Turkey. After discharge as a sergeant, he graduated from Brevard Community College and the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in finance. Tom enjoyed a thirty year career at Harris Corporation in the government financial sectors. He was Director of Sub-Contracts at his retirement, in 2009. He was a member of the National Contract Management Association and the National Defense Industrial Association. Tom was an active member of Ascension Catholic Church and a strong supporter of the parish school and Melbourne Central Catholic, where he served for many years as a member of the school board. He is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Agnes E. (Kirwin) Owens; his children Thomas J Owens, III, (Kristi) of Palm Bay, Fl, Tech Sgt Nicholas A. Owens, USAF, McDill AFB, Tampa, Florida, Michael P. Owens, and Kathryn Owens Closson, both of Melbourne. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren, Madison M. Owens and Kameron T. Owens of Palm Bay, and Elijah "Eli" Closson of Melbourne. Tom's siblings include Susan M. Griffin, of Stone Mountain, GA, Mary Dilts and her husband, Doug, of Port Orange, FL, Kathy McKeown, of Mesa, AZ, Jane E. Swanicke (Russell), of Langhorne, PA, Ellen Davidson (Bill), of Palm Bay, FL, Tim Owens of Franklin, TN, Patricia A. Herlinger, of Boardman, OH, and Colleen F. Hall (Jeff), of Melbourne, FL He was predeceased by his sister Beth Ann Owens. Tom's family is grateful for the loving care given to him by his son, Michael, his brother and sisters, especially his sister, Janie, and for the complete devotion of Sr. Immaculata from Ascension Catholic Church. Donations can be made in his memory to Ascension Catholic School, Melbourne, FL. Calling hours for Tom will be held at the Beach Funeral Home, North Wickham Road in Melbourne from 4 - 8pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Ascension Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 14th at 10:30am.