David Owen

David (Dave) A. Owen passed away suddenly on January 11, 2025.

Dave was born in Dayton to the late Vernon and Maureene Owen on July 12, 1959. Being the youngest of 4 and the only boy, it is safe to say that Dave was special from the very beginning. Growing up, Dave had a natural gift for all things mechanical, constantly working on anything that would “go”. He loved snowmobiling, off-roading in jeeps and running the dunes in his sand rail. Upon graduating from Vandalia-Butler High School in 1978, he went to work for his father at the family tool and die shop located in Tipp City, Ohio.

It was around this time that he would meet his future wife, Pam. Theirs was not your typical love at first sight story, but as time has a way of doing, things slowly changed between them and the two began dating in the summer of 1982 and three years later they would be married. For nearly the next decade it was just Pam and Dave taking on life. Off-roading, camping, snowmobiling and other various adventures together. That all changed in November of 1990 when Dave and Pam welcomed their first child, a son, AJ. And just a few years later their daughter Abby was born.

As the kids grew, Dave used his skills and passion for building things to become known as the guy of all things cool. Whether it was building a dune buggy with Aviator pride, painted purple and gold, a custom Kent State fire ring or a 4-foot megaphone and goal post for a parade float, if Dave was involved it was going to be cool.

But if you were to ask Dave, he would say his true love was his family. First as a husband, then as a father and most recently as a grandfather, affectionately known as GP.

Dave touched countless lives with his kindness, generosity and fierce loyalty. Everyone who knew him benefited from his generosity and selfless nature. Dave Owen will be remembered for his extraordinary heart, a heart that loved deeply and selflessly. His family, friends and community are richer for having had him in their lives and his memory will forever be cherished. David’s influence will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

Dave is preceded in death by both his maternal and paternal grandparents, loving parents Vernon and Maureen Owen, beloved father-in-law, James Shimp and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dave is survived by his wife Pam of nearly 40 years, his son A.J.(Amanda), daughter Abby (Michael), and three grandsons Owen, Alden and Oliver. His sisters Cindy Owen, Linda Owen and Karen Owen all of Vandalia, loving mother-in-law, Bessie Shimp and brother-in-law, Randy Shimp of Enon, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and an abundance of friends.

Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 am, funeral at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Newcomer Funeral Home, North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton OH, 45424. Burial to follow at Enon Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Special Olympics, to honor his legacy of kindness.

To share a memory of Dave or to send his family a special message, please sign the online guestbook provided.