Richard Alan Owens, 75, of Kingston, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on September 13th, 2026 at home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Oak Ridge Tennessee, Richard was the eldest son of Imogene Owens and Leon Owens.

He graduated from Roane County High School and attended the University of Tennessee. He obtained a certificate in machining technology from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Harriman, serving as an ambassador.

Richard spent his early career operating a successful landscaping business in Atlanta, Georgia where he was known for giving away surplus Christmas trees to needy families. Later, he used his organizational skills to break into telecommunication construction management, where he had a long tenure building hundreds of cellular communication towers all over the United States.

He co-founded J R Global Manufacturing, a premier manufacturing technology company, serving as its Vice President.

After retirement, he gave considerable time and resources to several civic organizations including: The Kingston Century Club, The Roane Amateur Radio Club, Master Gardeners Club of Roane County, and Tech for All Tennessee where he was a former chair. He was a current advisory board member for the Machining Technology curriculum of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

Richard also contributed to the betterment of Roane County. He was a board member for the Roane Alliance and served as an alternate board member on the Roane County Zoning Board, where he was looking forward to an imminent appointment as a full board member.

Outside of his work, Richard had a deep passion for maintaining the farm that he grew up on, spending hundreds of hours mowing that damn grass every summer. He enjoyed traveling, often visiting locations all over the U.S. and many other countries. He loved spending time outdoors where he was a Master Gardner. His plants and trees always survived, where ones his family members planted often didn’t. Above all, he cherished the time spent with his family and friends. Those who knew Richard will always remember his story telling, encyclopedic knowledge of an expanse of subjects, his quick wit, warm heart, generosity, and quiet strength.

He is survived by his brother, James (Jim) Owens & wife Staci of Kingston; his nephew, Stuart Owens & Wife Kandace of Powell; his longtime companion, Vikki Yoder of Marietta Georgia, daughter, Paige (Cashwell), husband Keith, granddaughter Emma, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, former wife, Kathy Owens of Lawrenceville, Georgia; cousin Judy Breeden &husband Geno of Knoxville; as well as extended family members and close friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon & Imogene Owens; nephew, Austin Owens; and cousin, Ronnie Fearnow.

The family will receive friends 11:30 am – 1:00 pm on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Fraker Funeral Home in Kingston. A celebration of life will follow at 1:00 pm in the chapel. The family will go in procession to Kingston Memorial Gardens for interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Richard’s honor to The American Cancer Society or the Master Gardner’s Club of Roane County.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Vikki Yoder for her countless hours and compassionate care and support during this time.