Richard "Red" Owens

Rich "Red" Owens, 78, passed away Friday, November 30, 2012, at his home in Runnells. He was born February 25, 1934, in Des Moines to Donovan and Mary Catherine Owens.

Red was a lifelong resident of the Runnells area. He graduated from East High School in 1952 and attended Iowa State University and Drake University, receiving both his undergraduate and Masters Degrees in counseling. Red had a passion for coaching wrestling and started his career as head coach at Greenfield High School and then spent four years as assistant coach at Lincoln High School. In 1964, he started the wrestling program at Southeast Polk High School and developed it into the successful program it is today. Red was named Coach of the Year in 1983. During his career, he was inducted into the Southeast Polk, East High, Iowa Wrestling Coaches and National Wrestling Coaches Halls of Fame. He retired from coaching in 1993 and from his education career in 1994. In addition, he was a longtime roofer, owning and operating Owens and Sons Roofing. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, lifting weights, horseback riding and was an avid reader.

Rich is survived by his sons, Jason (Mary), Patrick (Peggy); five grandchildren, Elise, Ethan, Eli, Cutler and Carson; sister, Margaret. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill.

Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th Street, Altoona. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rich Owens Memorial Scholarship Fund at Keystone Bank 6871 NE 12th Ave., Pleasant Hill, in loving memory of Red.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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