Louis Walter Owen

Services for Louis Walter Owen, 82, of Tyler, will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church at Flint with Father Timothy Kelly officiating. Interment will be at Rose Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Owen passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler after a long illness. He was born September 24, 1933 in Houston, Texas to George Winchell Owen and Sofia. He graduated from St. Thomas High School, Houston and attended Rice University, graduating with both a B.A. and a B.S. in chemical engineering in 1957. He was married to Alberta “Peaches” Gonsoulin in September 1955. The Owens moved to New Orleans in July, 1957 where Mr. Owen worked for Tenneco, rising to the position of Technical Manager of the refinery. He returned with his family to Houston in 1972 to join a consulting firm, Atkins, McBride, and Owen Engineering. Mr. Owen joined Petrofac in Tyler in 1982 serving as Vice President, Sr. Vice President and President until 2004. He continued serving on the board of directors of Petrofac International for some years. In 2006, Louis and Peaches Owen established the Louis and Peaches Owen Family Foundation which has provided critical funding to many organizations across East Texas and the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. The Owen family was a major donor to the initial building campaign for the Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint and deeply involved in their current expansion plans. In 2010, Louis and Peaches Owen celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with an $18 million lead gift to Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital to build the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. Louis lived to serve others. He served his community as evidenced by his unfailing acts of charity. He served his friends with a warm smile, a helpful hand and a gracious heart. He could always be counted on when one was in need. He served his faith with unbridled passion in his love for Christ, but most importantly, he served his family where he always welcomed you with a twinkle in his eyes and love in his heart. Mr. Owen was preceded in death by his parents, George Winchell Owen and Sofia and a brother, George Winchell Owen, Jr. He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 60 years, Peaches Owen; sons John Owen and wife Rebecca and Louis Paul Owen and wife Teresa; daughter Celeste Rekieta and husband Bob; grandchildren, Kristen Claeys, Nick Rekieta and wife Kayla, Bryce Owen and wife Emily, Lindsay Owen, Patrick Owen, Sophia Owen and Darby Owen; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Judy Lassiter, Jeanette Harmon and Mike Hamschin for their extraordinary care and support of Mr. Owen. Pallbearers will be Jesse Owen, Patrick Owen, Bryce Owen, Lindsay Owen, Bob Rekieta and Mike Hamschin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Gallatin and Jack Gonsoulin. Visitation is scheduled on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Peaches Hall of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint, Texas. Memorials in honor of Mr. Owen may be made to Catholic Charities at 202 W. Front St., Tyler, Texas 75702 or Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County at 211 Winchester Dr., Tyler, Texas, 75701. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Louis Walter Owen

September 24, 1933 - July 28, 2016