Bode "Buck" George Owens, Jr.

Bode George Owens, Jr. (Buck), longtime Crockett County rancher, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 29th, with his family by his side. Visitation will be held at Harper Funeral Home (San Angelo) from 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 and graveside service will be at 10:00am, on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ozona. Buck was a proud man. From the brim of his cowboy hat to the heels of his boots, he exemplified what a true West Texas rancher was all about. Buck was born September 3, 1932, to Bode and Edith Coffman Owens. Buck attended school at Barnhart. His years revolved around basketball where he eventually carried his love of the sport to Sul Ross. His time in Alpine were some of his best memories where he split his time between the gym and the roping arena. While there he met the love of his life, Janet Pauley, and the two were married October 10, 1953. After graduation, they made their home on the family ranch southwest of Barnhart, where they lived the rest of their married lives. On the ranch, they raised three children, Rusty, Mitzi and Mickey, where Buck taught them the love of the land, to be diligent workers, and to never hang your hat until the sun set. Buck was a tough man and raised his kids that way. Buck survived many accidents while working on the ranch. His ultimate strength was shown in 2003 when he was bitten four times by a rattle snake and lived to tell the tale. The story spread across West Texas, where even the toughest cowboys started turning on the lights when they stepped outside at night. In true Owens fashion, the story as well as the length of the snake grew over time. It was never just Buck, it was always “Buck and Jan”. Jan supported him in all his endeavors from refereeing basketball games across Texas, watching him in Sunday afternoon calf ropings, coaching Little League, working with 4-H kids, and being his ranch hand for 69 years. Buck and Jan were devoted members of Barnhart United Methodist Church, where you can still see the marks left on the back pew from Buck’s belt. Over the years Buck served as president of West Texas Boys Ranch, member of both the Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Associations, president of San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, and he was proud to receive the outstanding Conservation Rancher in Crockett Co for 2005, as well as the TSSRM/TSGRA Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship Award in 2019. There were always happy times at the Owens’ ranch, especially Christmas when all the family would gather. The tradition of gathering at the ranch spanned across generations and no one ever wanted to miss an “Owens’ Gathering”. His grandkids will always remember his embellished stories, his colorful sayings (not always appropriate), and his mispronunciation of common words. Buck and Jan created a tightknit family that continues several generations. Buck is survived by Jan, his wife of 69 years; son, Rusty Owens, of Big Lake; daughter, Mitzi Drennan (Brent), of Mason; and Mickey Owens (Laure), of Monahans; brother, Tommy Owens (Edra Ann) of Rankin; grandchildren Corey Owens (Shauna), Darci Owens, Kaylee Nobles (Cade), Kristi Nipp (Jordan), Tanner Owens (Kristi), Trevor Owens (Emily), and Landry Theut (Jordie), and eleven great-grandchildren---Carson Bode, Avery, Brynlee Jan, Braxtyn, Bode, Owen, Duke, Harrison, Sloan, Carter and Andi Beth. He left behind many nieces and nephews who adored Uncle Buck and his West Texas stories. Buck was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, June Owens Scott, and daughter-in-law, Penni Owens. Pallbearers will be the seven grandchildren and niece and nephew, Cody Owens and Shanna Owens Spiller. Honorary pallbearers are Jim Thomas, John Hruska, Mike Cervi, Jimmy Matthews, Kermit Wendland, Spencer McDonough, Louis Brooks, Ken Jordan, Mark Edwards, Tom Latham, Mike Elkins and Steve Elkins. We want to extend our thanks to his special caregivers (who had their work cut out for them, but he loved them dearly) Melissa Marmolejo, Brenda Lacy, and Desiree Galan. Memorials may be made to the Barnhart Cowboy Methodist Church, P.O. Box 12, Barnhart, TX 76930; West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch, San Angelo, TX 76904; or West Texas Rehab, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, TX 79605.