Don W. Ownby

OWNBY, DON W. – age 82 of Powell, Tennessee, left to be with his Lord from his home where he was surrounded by family and friends on February 3, 2013, at 4:30 pm. He was a long-time member of Cumberland Baptist Church and Rev. Eugene Fleming's "over fifty-five" Sunday School Class and had served his church as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher, as well as in a number of other capacities. He loved his Sunday School Class and he loved his church. He was a University of Tennessee College of Law graduate and was awarded a Doctor of Jurisprudence by the Trustees of the University of Tennessee. He retired from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at the University of Tennessee in 1991 after serving more than 34 years as a Municipal Law Consultant where he developed and refined the codification process still in use at MTAS. In 1980 he received the IPS Outstanding Public Service Professional Award and in 1990 he was awarded the MTAS Cornerstone Award for his long and dedicated service to MTAS. He began his military service as a member of the Army ROTC in high school and at the University of Tennessee and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Infantry before being transferred to the Judge Advocate General's Corps after graduating from law school. He retired as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve with over 30 years of service. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who loved nothing more than spending time and sharing his ice cream with his family and friends. He loved his family and he loved his friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvin and Nettie Ownby; his brother, Hugh G. Ownby; and infant daughter, Robin Lee Ownby. Survivors: loving wife of fifty-five years, Patty Ownby; son and daughter-in-love, David and Priscilla Ownby; son, Roger Ownby; three beautiful and loving granddaughters, Kacie, Alissa, and Lauren Ownby; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Fred Young; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jimmy and Sue Ownby, and Rex and Patsy Ownby; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Jennings; and all his special nieces and nephews who he loved so dearly. Special thanks to all his doctors and caretakers. The family will receive friends from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm Thursday, February 7, 2013, at Cumberland Baptist Church (5600 Western Ave, Knoxville, TN 37921). A Celebration of Life will follow at 7:30 pm with Dr. Kerry Bond and Mr. Charles Roach officiating. Family and friends will meet at 10:30 am Friday, February 8, 2013, at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel and travel in procession to East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery ( 2200 East John Sevier Highway) for a 11:30 am interment service where he will be laid to rest with full military honors presented by the Tennessee Army National Guard. Pallbearers will be Charlie Roach, Stewart Grady, Gayle Caughron, Jim Alexander, John Hatmaker, and J.C. Bowman, as well as, all the members of his Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Cumberland Baptist Church. Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Don W. Ownby

February 3, 2013