Terry W. Owens

Mr. Terry W. Owens of Decatur passed away at his residence on October 27, 2012.  He was 68.  A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2012 at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing.  The family will receive friends at New Home Baptist Church on Thursday beginning at 11:00 a.m.  

 Mr. Owens was born in Jasper, Alabama on July 5, 1944 to Wilson and Lillian Tillery Owens.  He was raised in Samson where he was an outstanding high school athlete.  He signed a football scholarship with the University of Alabama, but transferred to Jacksonville State University in 1963, where he graduated with a degree in Biology.  He was a two-sport performer for the Jacksonville Gamecocks in basketball and football.  After a solid college career, he was drafted by both the NFL's Chicago Bears and the AFL's San Diego Chargers in 1966.  He opted to join the Chargers, playing eleven years until a back injury forced him into retirement.

 Soon after his football career ended, Terry became a State Farm Agent.  He was with State Farm for more than 35 years, until his illness forced him to retire in March of last year.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Billy Ray Owens and Bobby Hue Carter.

 He is survived by his wife, Alison Owens; his children, Dana Molan of Alabaster, Amanda Owens and Jason Owens of Jacksonville, Florida; step son, Brian Blakley of Provo, Utah; twin brother, Jerry Owens; brother, Jimmy Owens; five grandchildren, Katelin and William Molan, Reagan Owens, and Cora and Harrison Blakley.

 Terry donated his tissue to the Boston University School of Medicine and the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy.  By participating in the groundbreaking medical research, Terry will be able to create knowledge and awareness that will make sports safer for all athletes at all levels of play, as well as facilitate research that will generate treatment and eventually a cure for CTE.