Curtis Eugene “Gene” Owens, 83, passed away on May 26, 2020 surrounded by his beloved family. He was born on May 4, 1937 in Crossett, Arkansas.

He was raised in Crossett and graduated in 1955 from Crossett High School. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked in the paper mill industry for over thirty years, moving to Houston in 1969. He retired in 1992 from Champion Paper Company.

Gene enjoyed his retirement with his wife, Iris, by raising longhorn cattle in Crockett before moving to the Flo Community seven years ago. He was a member of the Flo Community Baptist Church. He loved his family, enjoyed their visits to his ranch, and playing practical jokes with his kids and grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost forty years, Iris Owens; his parents, Curtis & Irma Owens; sister, Jo Tutt and son, Roy Michels. He is survived by his family; three sons, Ricky Owens (wife, Donna) of Sugar Land, David Owens (wife, Debbie) of Pine Bluff, AR and Rex Michels (wife, Maru) of Cypress; daughter, Kayla Stephenson (husband, Chris); also, ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and his dachshund, Susie.

Funeral arrangements are with Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas. Services will be held 11 A.M., Friday, May 29, 2020 at Flo Community Baptist Church with Rev. John Murray, officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30 P.M. at Riverside Pioneer Cemetery in Riverside, Texas. The Owens family will be present to receive friends Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Walters Funeral Home in Centerville from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the maintenance of Riverside Pioneer Cemetery, P.O. Box 901, Riverside, Texas 77367.