John Thomas Owens

John Thomas Owens junior, known to many as Tommy, Tank, or Big John, left this earth for his eternal home on February 4, 2024. His life is a story of loving people well even when it's hard, resilience, and getting on with it even when life feels impossible. He was an incredible storyteller and had a knack for making people laugh. He will be missed by many.

Born in 1945 to Mattie Lucille Edwards Owens and John Thomas Owens senior he was an unexpected joy and he continued to radiate that joy throughout his life. He grew up in City View where he created and was involved with quite a bit of mischief. When he was eleven years old he contracted rheumatic fever and nearly lost his life. He missed an entire year of school. Doctors said he wouldn't live past twelve but true to form, he pushed through and proved them wrong.

He attended Parker High School where he was a member of the marching band. There he developed lifelong friendships with countless memories and adventures he wouldn't have experienced otherwise. When he was just sixteen years old, he lost his father to cancer leaving only his dear mother to worry about and fret over his life choices.

In his twenties, much to his mother's chagrin, he became a professional musician. His musical talent was undeniable and he became the drummer for The Avalons. In the early 60’s they were a popular act at The Chicken Shack in Seneca, SC. They wrote and produced hit songs like “Come Back Little Girl” and “Mad Man’s Fate”. The band eventually landed a record deal that allowed them to tour around the US and somehow they all lived to tell the tales.

When the band broke up he settled down and eventually adopted two sons followed by the birth of his first biological son Shannon in 1968.

In 1977 he met Nancy Jo Stancil. Having been extremely endeared by her smile, sense of humor, and the way she looked in a swimsuit it was a quick courtship and they married on April 21, 1978. They raised a family together, shared countless memories, and were together until the very end of his life.

It seemed to many that their planning skills were skewed when in less than three years they welcomed three children, Taylor, Tennille, and Tomi Jo. And so he settled into what was possibly his greatest adventure of all, fatherhood.

Blessed with the gift of gab he had a successful career in sales for many years. The majority of those years were spent at Boston Gear where he earned many achievement awards and worked his way up to an executive level. He traveled almost weekly throughout most of his career and although he was missed at home he was able to provide a comfortable life for his family. During the recession in 2008, he was forced into retirement, a role he never quite settled into but got on with nonetheless.

He was a man of faith and grew up attending City View First Baptist. He later became an active member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and served on every committee he was asked to serve on. He and his family made lifelong friends and shared many happy moments while attending. In 1999 he moved his membership to Pickens Presbyterian Church where he sang in the men's chorus and was a member throughout the remainder of his life.

He was “Pop” to six grandkids whom he loved dearly and wished he could've spent more time with.
He loved hobbies and often found himself amid unfinished projects and although his visions didn't always come to fruition, it gave him something to think about and look forward to.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Claudia Lollis, his adopted son Chris Owens, his dear friend Robert “Buddy” Garren, and his father-in-law Charles Hayward Stancil.

He is survived by his wife of nearly forty-six years, Nancy Jo Owens, his children Shannon (Karen) Owens, Taylor (Sandra) Owens, Tennille (Brian) Crnobrnja, and Tomi Jo Billups, and his grandchildren Thomas Owens, Emma Owens, Brian Billups, Zaida Billups, Garren Crnobrnja and JL Crnobrnja.
His uncanny sense of humor, his ability to take the bad with the good, and his love for people will be his legacy.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 9 at 2 pm at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Easley, SC. A Livestream of the service will be available at https://mcbc.church/

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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