Ewell "Butch" Maurice Owen

Ewell “Butch” Maurice Owen, born July 13th, 1942, passed away peacefully at home from his battle with bladder cancer on June 11th, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Tatiana Owen for 22 years, a father to Tamara “Tammy” Roberts, Cengiz Owen, Theresa Oakes, Pamela Owen, and Alexander Owen, a grandfather to Cody Roberts, Caleb Roberts, Sara Galante, Dalton Long, and Alexandria Owen, and finally a great-grandfather to Cade Roberts, Claire Roberts, William Toland, and Valerie Toland. 

Born in Nashville, TN, Butch later moved to Guthrie, KY, where he attended Guthrie High School. He graduated and enlisted in the United States Army in 1959 as a Field Artillery Crewman and later earned his Army Parachutist Badge for completing airborne school. He served 2 tours in Vietnam, where he received a battlefield commission and became an officer in the military police corps. After returning home, he attended the University of Hawaii and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Oceanography and Philosophy. He later earned a master's degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Pepperdine University. He then furthered his military and leadership education by graduating from the Joint Forces Staff College, US Army Command and General Staff College, and the Turkish Army General Staff College. He retired from the US Army in 1988 after almost 30 years in service, earning numerous military decorations such as the Legion of Merit and Air Medal with “V” device for valor. Continuing his service, he served as a foreign area officer in the Middle East. In 2007, he returned to Tennessee, finally settling down in Paris, TN, with his wife and child.

A country boy at heart, he began homesteading and turned his house and yard into a vast landscape surrounded by orchards of trees, a bountiful garden, and various creatures he came to know as pets. Guests to the Owen household were very often treated to drinks at his outdoor “bar,” a picnic table overlooking the backyard, whilst being surrounded by dogs and cats. Butch was known to care for any animal that came into his care, whether it be a hummingbird that flew into a window or a stray dog that became part of the family. He was also an avid outdoorsman, often seen hunting on his cousin's farm or fishing in Kentucky Lake with his friends and family.

Butch's youthful humor and ability to “tell it like it is” were apparent to all who knew him. Later in life, he enjoyed discussing current events and world politics, often providing research-backed evidence to support his views. Above all else, Butch was a fighter; commonly seen doing intensive yard work even into his late 70’s. When he was eventually diagnosed with cancer in the early Fall of 2025, he did not let this diagnosis take away from his personality and ability to make light of a situation. He spent his final days at home surrounded by loved ones and receiving almost nightly phone calls.

In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he will be missed by the Conroy Family, the Jons Family, Josh Frey, Vern Hamrick, Mike Adams, and Carl Cooper. He will also be missed by his best canine friend, Ginger, who stayed faithfully by his side through the end.

Butch never left an appointment or any other event where someone helped him without saying thank you. He and the family wanted to extend a special thanks to the diligent and faithful work of all the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff who helped him, as well as Tony Lacy and the Staff at the Veterans’ Service Office in Henry County.

 Butch will be cremated at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and a small private service will be held at the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery to erect a headstone in his honor. A celebration of life will be held for friends and family at a later date.