Dorothy Gene Moore Owen

Memorial services for Dorothy Gene Moore Owen, 98, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the PineCrest Retirement Community Chapel with Reverend Gordon N. Blackman, Jr., of First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin, and Reverend Jacqueline Hannan officiating, with a reception immediately following. Private interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Wells.

Mrs. Dorothy Owen was born on October 10, 1926, in Greenville, Texas, at the home of her grandparents and died December 10, 2024 in a local hospital. She was the only child of the late E.C. Waid Moore and Albert Ray Moore.

In 1931, after the Great Depression devastated the family business, her family moved to Huntsville, Texas, where her father found work with the Texas Prison System. It was in Huntsville that her father founded the Texas Prison Rodeo, which he directed for 37 years. Dorothy often recalled Huntsville as a wonderful place to spend her youth.

Dorothy graduated from Huntsville High School in 1943 at the age of 16. She went on to graduate from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1946 with a major in Home Economics. Dorothy taught school for a year before working as a Home Economist for Gulf States Utilities in Navasota, Texas. While traveling by train on a work-related trip, she met a handsome young man, Thomas B. Owen Jr., who was attending Texas A&M College. Six months later, they were married on April 14, 1949.

After Tom graduated from Texas A&M and completed his state veterinary boards, the couple moved to Sinton, Texas, where Tom established a veterinary practice, ran a feed store, and took over the operation of the family farm. Between 1954 and 1958, while living in Sinton, Dorothy and Tom's three children, Tommy, John, and Jean, were born. In 1963, the family relocated to Lufkin, Texas. There, Dorothy taught first grade for St. Cyprian’s School for one year before spending the next 22 years teaching fifth grade at Slack Elementary.

Dorothy and Tom were deeply involved in their children’s activities, supporting them in sports, scouting, music recitals, school events, and church functions. Dorothy was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Deacon and an Elder, and participated in many committees including Presbyterian Women and Christian Education. She also held leadership positions in the Anthony Smith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In retirement, Tom and Dorothy enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends, and volunteering for various organizations. They gave their time to the Adult Learning Center, Meals on Wheels, the Christian Information and Service Center, and the Kurth Memorial Library, among others. Dorothy also contributed her talents to the numerous committees at Pinecrest including the CookBook and Kitchen Band.

Dorothy’s kindness, generosity, and love for family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her sons and spouses, Lt. Col (Retired) Thomas A. Owen and Susan of College Station, John W. Owen and Martha of Lufkin; daughter and spouse, Jean Owen East and Michael of Lufkin; grandsons, Brent Owen and wife Lindsay of Cypress, Lt. Col Jeffrey Owen and wife Veronica of Wesley Chapel, Florida; granddaughters, Caralia Owen Bray and husband Richard of Bryan, Emily Rabago and husband Tony of Lufkin, and Allison East of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Owen, Andrew Owen, both of Cypress, Juliana Owen, Waid Owen, Jonathan Owen, all three of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Kassidy Bray, Shannon Bray, both of Bryan, and Ainsley Rabago of Lufkin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Dr. Thomas B. Owen, Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin, 607 Janeway Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or Christian Information and Service Center (C.I.S.C.), 501 S. Angelina Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family would like to thank the staff at PineCrest Retirement Community for their loving care.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.