John Kent Owens

Dr. John Kent Owens, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather left this earth for his eternal home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Affectionately known as Dad, Grandpa and Dr. Owens by family, friends and colleagues, John excelled as a Professional Engineer and Mississippi State University Professor Emeritus of Aerospace and Electrical Engineering. John is survived by his wife, Jane Deaton Owens; son, Jeffery Kent Owens, and stepdaughter, Marilyn Page Pounders. Other survivors include his six grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. John was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ross Lee Owens; father, John Alvin Owens; mother, Birdie Eastman Carr; sister, Nita Jean Owens Carter and his son, Lt. Col. John Mark Owens, USMC. Dr. Owens was born in Laurel, Mississippi on November 15, 1934. He graduated from Gardner High School of Laurel, joining the Marine Corps shortly thereafter. First stationed in North Carolina, John married Priscilla Creech Owens. Their son, John Mark, was born soon after. After leaving the Marines, they moved to Florida where Dr. Owens worked as an electronics technician. Here, their son, Jeffrey Kent, was born. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Owens decided to pursue a college education. Dr. Owens returned to Laurel, Mississippi in 1962 and enrolled at Jones County Junior College. Following his graduation from Jones, he enrolled at Mississippi State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965. He received his master’s degree from the University of New Mexico in 1967 and his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University in 1974. John was a proud member of numerous honor societies, including Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi. John began his professional career with Lockhead in Marietta, Georgia before returning to Starkville to begin his career in research and as a professor at Mississippi State. John taught at MSU for 23 years, earning the Hearin-Hess Distinguished Professor Award and Professor Emertius while performing noteworthy research for Honda Aeronautics. John married Jane Deaton Page in 1986. In 1991, John left his work in research and as a professor to begin his second career in forensic accident investigation and expert testimony. John actively worked in this business until retiring in 2018, a total of almost 70 years devoted to his profession. Dr. John loved fishing, touring around to meet the “Cruisin’ Cajuns” with Jane in their motorhome, all things associated with the Bulldogs and most of all his family. John will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held at Memory Chapel Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 9:00-10:00 AM with a funeral service beginning at 10:00 AM. A graveside service and interment will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Justin Safley will officiate. Pallbearers will be David Carter, Douglas MacEachern, Michael McCraw, Alex McIntosh, Delwyn Pounders, and Micah Torres. Memorials for John may be sent to the Children’s Building Project at First Baptist Church of Starkville, Mississippi. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

John Kent Owens

November 15, 1934 - November 6, 2024