Thomas Owen

Reverend Thomas (Preacher Tommy) Perry Owen, age 81, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015, surrounded by his immediate family in Brevard, North Carolina.

Called to preach in 1965, at the age of 31, Tommy went from bi-vocational ministry to full time pastorates in North Carolina and South Carolina. In 1984, he entered into full time evangelism and area missionary ministry with the Tommy Owen Evangelistic Association that included the "In The Bible Mission" and the "In The Bible" radio broadcast on WGCR every Saturday morning. He visited and ministered to patients and staff at local hospitals and nursing homes all throughout those 50 years with great joy and a deep love for people. He ministered to grieving families at almost 2,700 funerals over the course of his ministry and each one was personal to him. He always felt honored at each request to be a part of such an important time in the life of a family. Most of his evenings were spent calling to check on people who needed an encouraging word or a prayer lifted on their behalf. He delighted in preaching the Word of God and sharing its truths. Whether in casual conversation, or from a pulpit, the passion of his heart was to share the good news of Jesus. He loved his family just as passionately and expressed that love in an undeniable way. His boldness to tell the truth at all cost, his vast ministry to those who grieved, his genuine love of people and his calling to preach the gospel and teach the foundational truths of the Christian faith in a manner in which anyone can understand are the things that his family will always treasure about the man they most affectionately called "Daddy" or "Poppy".

Tommy is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years and faithful partner in ministry, Phyllis Riddle Owen; a son, David Owen (Pam), and two daughters, Lynn Eades (Roger), and Carol Culbertson (Danny); five grandchildren he adored and one great grandson due in January of 2016. Tommy is also survived by 5 brothers, Ted (Carolyn), Eddie (Dorinda), Ronnie (Nancy), Larry (Betty), and Steve (Linda), one sister, Debbie Ayers (Kenneth), and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Don, and sister, Jean Davis.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 3-5pm at Moody Connolly Funeral Home in Brevard. The funeral is at 2pm on Monday, November 9th, 2015 at Turkey Creek Baptist Church in Pisgah Forest, NC. Tommy's brother, Dr. Ronnie Owen, will officiate. Burial to follow in the Turkey Creek Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Honor Guard for Transylvania County Veterans.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the many acts of kindness over these last few weeks. Tommy loved his community deeply and in recent weeks the community's response to his illness allowed his family to see firsthand just how loved he was in return. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Brevard, 1266 Asheville Highway, Brevard, NC, 28712 or The Lachlan McIntosh Tannery Foundation, P.O. Box 63, Seneca, SC 29679.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com or www.moore-fh.com .
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory and Moore Funeral Home and Cremation Services are caring for the family.