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George Calvin Owens Sunday Jan 8, 2017 at 2:00 AM October 24, 1928 - January 4, 2017 George was the youngest of three boys born to Thomas and Edith Owens of Tempe, Arizona. His father was a farmer during the Great Depression and George witnessed the toll those years took on him. His two brothers chose to become farmers, but George pursued academics. For two years, he attended Phoenix Junior College while working on the family farm. He then graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in chemistry. Later, he earned a master of science in chemistry. He worked for U.S. government contractors in the nuclear industry, first as a nuclear chemist and later as a manager of health, safety, and environmental programs. His career led him and his family (wife and three children) to live in several different states and even Canada. One of his early assignments resulted in his being on the maiden voyage of the first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus. George personified the saying, “still waters run deep.” During his working years, he became an accomplished furniture builder and also enjoyed oil painting. He loved fishing, in particular fly-fishing; he learned to tie flies while living in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Both sons, Stuart and Kirk, caught the fishing bug from him. He participated with his sons during their Boy Scout years, and was later an active member of Big Brothers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. George and his daughter, Lyn shared a love of reading and often exchanged book suggestions. In 1990 George and his wife, Marcella, retired to Ashland from the Tri-Cities, Washington. In Ashland, duplicate bridge, golf, and volunteering filled some of his time. He volunteered at Britt, OSF, and the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, as well as providing volunteer income tax preparation services. His longest volunteer stint, twenty years, was as an Ashland Police Volunteer. George is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marcella, of Ashland; his son, Kirk (Susan Conner) of Gaithersburg, Maryland; his daughter, Lyn (David Oas) of Talent, Ore.; and his brother, Warner. George and Marcella have four grandchildren, Lauren, Alison, Derek, and Leland. He was preceded in death by his son, Stuart, and one brother, Thomas Jr. Our family will miss his kind and intelligent, but unassuming, presence in our lives. We are grateful to Signature Hospice for their care of George — and of us — during George’s final months. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Signature Hospice, 834 S. Front St., Central Point, Ore. 97502. A private memorial event will be shared by the family in the future.