James Alexander Owens, Jr.

James “Big Daddy” Alexander Owens, Jr., 71, of Norfolk, Virginia passed away at his home in Clarksville, Tennessee on April 4, 2024, with family by his side. He was born February 28, 1953, in Norfolk, Virginia to James Alexander Owens and Mabel Eloise Owens.

James met his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Inez Harris-Owens in Virginia, and they were married on September 1, 1973. Throughout the course of their union, they had three children: Adriene, Kamesha, and James.

At the age of 19, James joined the United States Army as a Band Person and later changed jobs to become an Aviation Operations Specialist, from which he retired in 1995. Throughout the course of his military career, he attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was stationed at multiple duty stations to include: Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Schweinfurt, Germany; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; Illesheim, Germany; and retired at Fort Campbell, KY. Master Sergeant Owens was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (3^rd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (7^th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2^nd Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star), Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3^rd Award), and the Driver/Mechanic Badge over the course of his decorative career. In 1995, he started another career as an over the road truck driver for Boyd Brother Transportation, up until his second retirement in 2016.

“Big Daddy” loved having family get-togethers, especially for holidays and birthdays. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing racquetball, listening to music, and “chilling” at the house.

James is survived by his children, Adriene “Nunu” Owens, Kamesha Owens-Marche (Kris), and James ”Jimmy” Owens III (Jackie); eight grandchildren: Mario (Overlia), Marquee (Jasmine), Karisma, Kris, Kamirah, Kamarah, Jordyn, and Jayce; five great-grandchildren:  Micah, Mya, Kevanna, Anna, Malachi, and Jayla; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jackie; his father, James A. Owens; his mother, Mabel E. Owens; and his two sisters, Clarice Adkins and Muriel Brothers.