Thomas Frank Owen, Jr.

Thomas (Tommy) F. Owen Jr., passed away September 9, 2019 at North East Georgia Medical in Gainesville, Georgia. He was born on May 27, 1953 in St Louis, MO to Thomas F. Owen, Sr. and Alean Swahlstedt Owen Block. He married Oh Chung Hui (Lena) on October 7 , 1974. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas F. Owen, Sr. on July 14, 2019. Tom is survived by his mother, Alean Swahlstedt Owen Block, step-father, David Block of Pekin, IL, his wife Oh Chung Hui (Lena) Owen of Dawsonville, GA; daughter Alean (Allie) Owen of Miami, son Thomas F Owen IIl (Tamika) of Virginia, daughter Charlotte Gowin of Atlanta, his grandchildren, Hayden Owen, Tyler Owen, and Naomi Owen all of Virginia. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Arthur D (Cindy) Owen of Savannah, GA; Nancee S (James) Purdum of Peoria; Shirley (Steve) Dupuy of Dawsonville, GA; Debbie (Rob) Martynowski of Indian Harbour Beach, FL; Mary (Carl) Innis of Bartonville; and Donald J Owen of Dawsonville, GA. Also surviving is one Uncle Ralph (Sue) Owen and one Aunt Patricia (Ron) Ard along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom joined the US Army in May of 1971 immediately after graduation from high school. He wanted to be a paratrooper. He attended basic training in Ft. Lewis, Washington and he was told he was going to medic school. He only agreed if he could then become a paratrooper. He attended medic school in Ft. Sam Houston, TX and graduated as one of the top of his class. Then was on to Ft. Benning, GA to become a paratrooper. Tom was then sent to Vietnam for a short tour. From there he was stationed in Korea where he spent several tours and met Lena. In 1975, Tom came back to the States and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC. with the 82nd Airborne unit. He trained for the Green Berets, then in 1977 he was transferred to Ft. Devens, MA where he joined the 10th Group Green Berets. He also trained for the Rangers. In 1980 Tom transferred to Bad Toelz Germany where he and his family remained until they returned to Ft. Bragg in 1984. In 1985, Tom attended Special Forces Warrant Officer School. Tom remained at Ft. Bragg until he retired from the service. He worked with contractors and moved to Georgia. After retirement, Tom once again served his country by working for a civilian contractor during the Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and several of his retired Army brothers worked to help train the Iraq Army. He also provided security in Iraqi for the power plants. Finally retiring from his service for good. Tom moved back to Georgia only to return to Korea for a lengthy stay. After the lengthy stay in Korea he once again returned to Georgia. Tom and his wife Lena moved to Dawsonville, GA. The family would like to thank his many brothers in the service who have offered their support for the family. We know Tom loved his service brothers and would do anything for any of them. Memorial contributions can be made to www.Greenberetfoundation.org Green Beret Foundation 14402 Blanco Rd Suite 100 San Antonio, TX 78216 Some of Tom's service awards are: Meritorious Service Medal/ Army Commendation Medal/Army Achievement Medal/ Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon/ Army Good Conduct Medal/ National Defense Service Medal/with Bronze Service Star/Army Service Ribbon/Humanitarian Service Medal/Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal/ Overseas Service Ribbon/Expert Field Medical Badge/Master Parachutist Badge/Special Forces Tab/Army Achievement Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster/Good Conduct 4th Award/SF tab/Belgium Parachute Badge/ Belgium Commando Badge/Meritorious Service Medal Schools: Special Operations Technical CRS/ DLI (Spanish American)/ Warrant Office Technical Certification/ Warrant Officer Entry CRS/Ski Instructor Crse/ Polish Language Crse/Advanced NCO/ Mountain School/German Language Crse/ SF Operations and Intelligence Crse. While in Korea he received recognition from the South Korean Government for saving a small boy drowning in the rice field.