Norma Jean Owen

Norma Jean Owen, age 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2026, with her hand held and surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Tom Owen, who passed on to his new life with Christ in December 2024.

After Dad’s passing, we fulfilled his request to take care of Mom. We honored his wish and made her new home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Adam and Bonnie Owen were blessed to spend her final years with her. She was pampered and enjoyed time with pets Luna, Groot and Kimber, as well as attending Adam’s music jams and music festivals. She was continually loved, not only by us, but by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was surrounded by family in Fairbanks, Alaska, including her grandson Connor, a mechanical engineer, and Christina, a chief financial officer, along with their twin children, Caeden, Cambrie, and their new sibling. Her grandson Dale, a journeyman electrician, and his children, Oriana, who never passed by her Grandma Jean without giving her a hug, a kiss, and asking about her day, and Orion, who loved telling her stories, brought her daily joy. Throughout the year, she also received visits from her devoted grandchildren, Forest, an aerospace engineer, and Elizabeth, a realtor living in Starbase, Texas, Wyatt, studying AI and computer science in Tucson, Arizona, and Harrison, a computer engineer living in Anchorage, Alaska.

During this time, she was not only cared for, but truly embraced, sharing in daily life, meaningful conversations, and loving meals with family and friends. These moments became a cherished chapter for all who lived alongside her, especially her sons and their families. She was a woman of faith who, like all of us, had thoughtful questions about the Lord’s word and its meaning, leading to many meaningful conversations. She cherished her weekly phone calls with her siblings, a reflection of the mental sharpness she maintained. Mom never missed anything. She also carried with her simple joys from earlier years, especially her love of shopping at thrift stores and garage sales while living in Coalgate, Oklahoma. She had a gift for finding little treasures and took great delight in the hunt as much as the find.

In her final days, she spoke openly about her readiness and lack of fear, resting in the assurance of her salvation through Jesus Christ. Just days before her passing, she shared a heartfelt conversation and prayer with Adam and her grandson Forest, words and moments that will be forever cherished. Two days before her passing, when Bonnie asked what she would like to eat, she replied, “A bacon cheeseburger with onions and a vanilla shake.” As always, Bonnie made it happen!

She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her strength, and the love she gave so freely to her family and newly formed friendships. Her presence filled the home with warmth, and her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Along with Adam, she is also survived by her eldest son Luke Owen, owner of NPDES Training Institute and his wife Tami of Buford Georgia. Their family includes her grandson Ben who is a vessel restoration expert and granddaughter Whitney and her husband Spencer, owners of MVMNT Meals and Nutrition in Colbert, Georgia, along with her great grand children Emersyn and Asher. Finally, she is survived by her youngest son, Joesph Owen, National Park Guide and author of 9 books about the Texans and Floridians who fought at Gettysburg. Joe resides in Blanco, TX.

Surviving siblings include Freda Ketchum of Coalgate, Oklahoma, Bernice King of Corsicana, Texas, Jack Shearer of Willis, Texas, H.C. Shearer of Piedmont, Oklahoma, and Theresa Elaine Niles of Perkins, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Owen, her daughter-in-law, Cathy Owen, and her siblings, George Shearer and Lois Cook.

A service will be held at Coalgate Methodist Church on May 13, 2026, at 1:00 pm, where family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of her life. <><

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NORMA JEAN OWEN

July23, 1932 - April13, 2026

Jean was born the second child, two years after her sister Lois, to her parents Bernice Cleo Shearer and Harris Conner Shearer in Non, Oklahoma. Tom always teased her saying that she was a Non Person. Her maternal grandparents, Millie Theressa and Heman Willis doted on the new baby girl. During her childhood, Jean suffered from the normal childhood illnesses but also from Diphtheria. Her mother related the challenges of the whole family having been under quarantine. Jean was much loved by her Grandmother Willis; her mother having related a time when Grandmother cried that Bernice was “taking away her baby” when she left their home. Jean was also the apple of her Aunt Annie and Uncle Ruben Brown and spent many happy visits with them at their home in Ashland.

Jean attended Coalgate Public Schools and graduated from Coalgate High School. After graduation, she moved to Oklahoma City to room with her sister Lois and her high school friend, Mary Jo Armor. Jean worked at various office jobs with firms ranging from OG&E to Oklahoma State University. During this time, she met and married Thomas James Owen who had returned from a stint in the Navy and was attending Oklahoma State University where he studied Forestry. Those studies took the young couple to remote areas of Colorado where Tom worked on Forrest Fire Watch Stations. Jean and Tom both adapted to life in a wilderness area and to Jean’s newfound cooking abilities. In Colorado and Utah, Jean and Tom welcomed the first of their three sons, Thomas Luke, followed by Adam Harris, and Joseph Lynward. As Tom’s career advanced within the Bureau of Land Management, the family was taken to numerous states within his area of expertise. Mostly they lived in the West, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and then in Virginia and even Alaska. When Tom retired the couple came home to Oklahoma and decided to settle in Coalgate, Oklahoma. They made that decision based on proximity to her sisters, Lois and Freda and Jean’s mother, Bernice. Bernice’s health was failing and Jean wanted to share the duties in caring for her mother. Jean and Tom became active in civic duties in Coalgate. They joined the Methodist Church and were active members. Tom joined a pick-up band with Ronnie Hampton and Ikie Trailer as well as becoming a member of the Coalgate Hospital Board. Jean joined the Coalgate Cemetery Committee and would often ask visitors to join her in a trip to the cemetery.

Shortly after settling in Coalgate, they bought a home and Jean set about re-landscaping and re-modeling the home. Jean loved her gardens and plants and could always be seen out in her yard tending new growth and dead-heading the old. Tom accused her of being overly enthusiastic in her dead-heading and sometimes called her Morticia, referring to a character in the Adams Family sitcom. Jean also loved decorating for holidays and her home became a “must see” during the Christmas season.

Jean led a long and full life. As age and need arose, Jean and Tom enjoyed the loving care of Faye Radcliff who always kept in touch. She is missed by her siblings: Freda Ketchum, HC Shearer, Bernice King, Jack Shearer, and Elaine Shearer; her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; as well as their extended families. Jean’s brother George died before her and her sister, Lois, died one day after Jean died. We expect that Jean went to Lois and said,

“Come on Lois, Let’s go play.