In Memory Of
Owen Bland Smith
1938
2021
Owen Bland Smith
September 22, 1938 — March 10, 2021
Owen Bland Smith (Papa, Buzzy) went to his heavenly home on March 10, 2021. He passed peacefully with his family by his side and was able to join his loving wife Ruth Ann in Heaven. Sharing the gospel was the pivotal essence of Owen's life and ultimately led him straight into the arms of Jesus.
Owen was born on September 22, 1938 in Borger, Texas to Oscar and Gertrude Smith. He spent his childhood in Philips, Texas with his older sister Naomi, younger brother Howard, and older half-brother Robert. Owen's mother passed away when he was only 9, leaving Owen and his siblings to grow close, often helping take care of one another.
Owen attended Frank Philips Junior College, where he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann. He then transferred to Texas Tech University. He and Ruth Ann wed while he was still in school pursuing his electrical engineering degree. They had their first child, Susan, in the midst of his final exams and graduation in May of 1962. Owen took a job with Boeing in Louisiana, where Owen and Ruth Ann had their second child Lisa in 1965. Shortly after, Owen took a new job in Denver with Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) where he worked in the aerospace industry. It is here where Owen and Ruth Ann planted roots and grew their family to include three more children, Mike, Kelly, and Erica. Owen worked with Lockheed Martin for 46 years and retired in 2010.
Owen was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood, Colorado in 1968 and later became a member of Ken Caryl Church in Littleton. He was truly a man after God's own heart. Owen served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at his church, on the board of directors at the Colorado Southern Baptist Convention, and on the board at the Ponderosa Retreat Center in Lark Spur. After he retired from Lockheed Martin, he devoted his life to serving his church with the senior community and serving on mission trips around the country and around the globe. Owen and Ruth Ann served 25 domestic missions and 6 foreign missions.
Owen was a grandfather to 8 grandchildren and always stayed true to his one rule, "they can do anything they want while at Papa's house." He loved keeping up with all their activities and never failed to tell each of them how proud he was of them. Papa was an Awana leader at Ken Caryl Church and led his grandchildren through the program. There was not a Sunday where he would not bring his grandkids home without first stopping at Dairy Queen or McDonalds for a treat, something each one of them looked forward to every week. Owen made a point to take each member of his family out to breakfast for their birthday every year, memories each one of them will cherish. He will forever be dearly missed by his loved ones who celebrate the fact that he is now at peace.
Owen would truly give the shirt off his back to someone he just met. His testimony lives on in the many people he impacted throughout his life.
Owen is survived by his daughters Susan (spouse: Dan), Lisa, Kelly and Erica; his son Mike; his grandchildren Brendan, Megan, Ryan, Alex, Tristan (spouse: Jaymi) Blaiklee, Ansley, and Rhylann; his sister, Naomi; and his sister in laws, Gaynelle and Becky. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann; his father, Oscar; his mother, Gertrude; his brothers, Howard and Robert; and his brothers-in-law, Donald and Charles.
A joint service to celebrate the lives of Owen and Ruth Ann will be held on April 16, 2021 at 10:00 am at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colorado. We invite those comfortable, to attend in-person. As we know we are in the midst of uncertain times, so we also invite those who can't make it in-person, to join us online. Details will be communicated soon, and we encourage you to reach out to any family member if you have questions.
If you feel so inclined, please send any donations to Ponderosa Retreat Center in honor of Owen at the link below. This was an organization that Owen felt passionate about and was called to serve with. https://www.visitponderosa.com/donate/
Celebration of Life
In person April 16th, 2021 at 10:00am, Mission Hills Church, 620 SouthPark Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80120
Join online at https://www.missionhills.org/streaming/
The family loves reading about the ways in which Owen impacted your life, so condolences and memories are very much appreciated in the "Share Memories" link above.
Owen was born on September 22, 1938 in Borger, Texas to Oscar and Gertrude Smith. He spent his childhood in Philips, Texas with his older sister Naomi, younger brother Howard, and older half-brother Robert. Owen's mother passed away when he was only 9, leaving Owen and his siblings to grow close, often helping take care of one another.
Owen attended Frank Philips Junior College, where he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann. He then transferred to Texas Tech University. He and Ruth Ann wed while he was still in school pursuing his electrical engineering degree. They had their first child, Susan, in the midst of his final exams and graduation in May of 1962. Owen took a job with Boeing in Louisiana, where Owen and Ruth Ann had their second child Lisa in 1965. Shortly after, Owen took a new job in Denver with Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) where he worked in the aerospace industry. It is here where Owen and Ruth Ann planted roots and grew their family to include three more children, Mike, Kelly, and Erica. Owen worked with Lockheed Martin for 46 years and retired in 2010.
Owen was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood, Colorado in 1968 and later became a member of Ken Caryl Church in Littleton. He was truly a man after God's own heart. Owen served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at his church, on the board of directors at the Colorado Southern Baptist Convention, and on the board at the Ponderosa Retreat Center in Lark Spur. After he retired from Lockheed Martin, he devoted his life to serving his church with the senior community and serving on mission trips around the country and around the globe. Owen and Ruth Ann served 25 domestic missions and 6 foreign missions.
Owen was a grandfather to 8 grandchildren and always stayed true to his one rule, "they can do anything they want while at Papa's house." He loved keeping up with all their activities and never failed to tell each of them how proud he was of them. Papa was an Awana leader at Ken Caryl Church and led his grandchildren through the program. There was not a Sunday where he would not bring his grandkids home without first stopping at Dairy Queen or McDonalds for a treat, something each one of them looked forward to every week. Owen made a point to take each member of his family out to breakfast for their birthday every year, memories each one of them will cherish. He will forever be dearly missed by his loved ones who celebrate the fact that he is now at peace.
Owen would truly give the shirt off his back to someone he just met. His testimony lives on in the many people he impacted throughout his life.
Owen is survived by his daughters Susan (spouse: Dan), Lisa, Kelly and Erica; his son Mike; his grandchildren Brendan, Megan, Ryan, Alex, Tristan (spouse: Jaymi) Blaiklee, Ansley, and Rhylann; his sister, Naomi; and his sister in laws, Gaynelle and Becky. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann; his father, Oscar; his mother, Gertrude; his brothers, Howard and Robert; and his brothers-in-law, Donald and Charles.
A joint service to celebrate the lives of Owen and Ruth Ann will be held on April 16, 2021 at 10:00 am at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colorado. We invite those comfortable, to attend in-person. As we know we are in the midst of uncertain times, so we also invite those who can't make it in-person, to join us online. Details will be communicated soon, and we encourage you to reach out to any family member if you have questions.
If you feel so inclined, please send any donations to Ponderosa Retreat Center in honor of Owen at the link below. This was an organization that Owen felt passionate about and was called to serve with. https://www.visitponderosa.com/donate/
Celebration of Life
In person April 16th, 2021 at 10:00am, Mission Hills Church, 620 SouthPark Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80120
Join online at https://www.missionhills.org/streaming/
The family loves reading about the ways in which Owen impacted your life, so condolences and memories are very much appreciated in the "Share Memories" link above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Owen Bland Smith, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Friday, April 16, 2021
Starts at 10:00 am (Mountain time)
Mission Hills Church
Guestbook
Visits: 4
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