Earl Owens, Sr.

Earl Eugene Owens, Sr., 78, of Hendersonville, TN passed from this life on October 25, 2017. Mr. Owens was born on December 14, 1938 in Topeka, KS. He was the son of Patrick Phillips of Dublin, Ireland and Herschel "Tex" Owens and Mary Ruth Kingsland Owens of Topeka, KS. He was a 1955 graduate of Plattsburg High School, Plattsburg, Missouri. Following graduation, he attended Kansas City Junior College. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1959. While in the Navy he was a disc jockey for Armed Forces Radio on the U. S. S. Lexington.
Mr. Owens lived a full, productive life. He worked as a stuntman, actor and musician in Hollywood in the early 60's, as well as a disc jockey, talk show host, drummer, truck driver, deputy sheriff and public relations executive.
He moved to Nashville in 1967 where he worked in promotions with Buddy Lee Attractions (vice president), Kustom/Sho-Bud/Gretsch (National Promotion Director), Owens Fair and Associates (self-employed Public Relations Firm), Davidson County Sheriff's Department (Assistant to Chief in charge of PR and Community Relations) Total Concept Representation (self-employed Public Relations Firm) and Americana Records-Japan (CEO and head of International Artist Relations).
He produced over 200 TV shows for Video World TV/CMT as well as being involved in a number of movie and TV productions including "The Longest Yard," "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," "Dinah Won't You Please Come Home" and several others where his character unfortunately "ended up on the cutting room floor"! Mr. Owens liked to tell a story about his proud momma inviting the whole neighborhood over to watch her son in a movie starring John Wayne. A houseful of people arrived and watched the entire movie, but didn't see Earl. His momma called quite upset thinking that she had missed him. He laughed and told that his part had been cut!
Mr. Owens produced 21 national chart records and served as a guest lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University.
A talk show host for WSM Radio and the Grand Ole Opry, Owens hosted the "Big Three Showcase" from 1981-84. He also co-produced and directed CP Telethons in Nashville and Jackson, TN.
Earl thoroughly enjoyed cars, motorcycles, boats and fast women. In his lifetime he owned 87 cars, 17 motorcycles, 15 boats and was married five times! He loved music, wine and spending time with those he loved.
Over the course of his professional career he received 52 public relations awards, 14 humanitarian awards and the Mayor's Metronome award. He was also a member of the Al Menah Shrine in Nashville.
Mr. Owens is survived by his children Christie Board and husband Robert, of Prescott, AZ; Earl Owens, Jr. and wife Becky of Chattanooga, TN; Kim Halferty of Kansas City, MO; Sonya Owens of Scammon, KS; and Israel VanScyoc and wife Beverly of Wadestown, WV. Grandchildren include Allison Halferty of Smithville, MO; Dane Halferty of Kansas City, MO; Olivia Ellison of Pittsburg, KS; Levi VanScyoc of Hundred, WV; Hammer VanScyoc and Alyssa Ruth of Hendersonville, TN; and Madeline VanScyoc of Wadestown, WV. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, his sister Molly Livingston and husband, Larry of Gower, MO and his special friends Viola Ebert, Scott Aisenbrey, Frank Willson, Jim Vest, Ray Pennington, Geno Bush and David and Jo Frizzell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 28 years Sally Butera Owens, his brother David Owens, and a granddaughter, Christina Cotten.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 2 pm. Please RSVP to earlowensmemorial@att.net to receive directions to the venue. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Owens and his family have requested that donations be made to Alive Hospice 1718 Patterson Street Nashville,TN 37203 or Hendersonville HomeBound Meals 381 West Main Street Hendersonville, TN 37075.
Family members are eternally grateful for the loving care provided by Stacy Perez, Shannon Turnbow, employees of Alive Hospice and the volunteers of the Hendersonville HomeBound Meals. These wonderful individuals not only provided nourishment and loving care for his body, but kindness and compassion for his soul.