| It`s been said, "Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a Daddy." |
| Dewey Lafayette Owen was born in August of 1922, second of 5 boys. And through his childhood, he endured Typhoid Fever, a bite by a rabid dog, the Great Depression, and the normal maladies that confront most boys growing up in Henry County, Tennessee. |
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| He joined the Army Air Corp during World War II, and served in Nashville, Tenn. and Plattesburg, New York. While in the service, he married Mary Frances Tucker in October of 1944. He was honorably discharged from the Army after serving about 2 and 1/2 years. Among other health problems, he was diagnosed with ALS-- Lou Gerigh disease. The prognosis wasn`t good. No one lived more than a few years with this disability, but I reckon God had other plans. Today- 60 years later- he`s still up and about, and in good shape for 81 years old. |
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| He and Mary Frances had 6 children. They lived and rented around until finally buying a place in Henry, Tennessee in 1948. There Daddy commenced building a house, which he still lives in today. He worked, doing hauling for the public. Cattle, corn, whatever he could get on his trucks, he hauled. Finally he wound up hauling hay-- the old square bales-- for the farmers. All of us kids, 5 boys and 1 girl, grew up in the hayfields, first driving the trucks, then handling hay. |
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| The picture on the left was made in the early 60s. Around 1965 or 66, Daddy announced a calling to preach. He was licensed to preach by his home church. Although he never pastored a church, he went on the road with The Owen Trio, his 3 youngest children, and conducted revivals and preached in numerous churches of many different denominations and saw many souls saved. |
| I must say, Daddy and I have had our differences over the years, as most parents and kids do. But I`m amazed at how smart he has become over the years as I have gotten older. I can only say now that I`m thankful God gave me such a man for my Daddy. He taught me, put up with me, whipped me when needed, and loved me all the way through everything. Daddy will be 82 in August. I wish he could be around for 82 more, but I know better. So I just want to say, "Daddy, I love you, and Thank you." |
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| Dewey and Mary Frances Owen, about 1990. |
| The song playing IS NOT one of mine. It`s an old one called "Palms of Victory" and is one of Daddy`s favorites. |