HOUSTON – Former Tyler County judge and district judge Jerome P. Owens died on Monday. According to a public social media posting from a family member.
Owens was 85, and had sustained a head injury in February, which resulted in a fractured skull. Longtime Tyler County lawman Terry Riley, who now works for the U.S. Marshal’s Office, said he loved working for Judge Owens.
By the time Owens retired in 2014, he had served as a District Judge for the 1A judicial district, which he had won after long-serving Judge Monte Lawlis announced retirement.
Owens had served in law for 45 years, and 26 of them as a judge. He retired at 75, which is the age limit for district judges in the state of Texas, by statute. He was succeeded by Judge Delinda Gibbs-Walker, who continues to serve on that bench.
In a story published in the Booster in 2014, covering Owens’ retirement party, now retired Woodville attorney Lindsey Whisenhant reflected on Owens’ sage advice as being a factor in a lot of his own success.
Owens served as county judge for 18 years, including during Hurricane Rita in 2005, when many remember his leadership. During that time, he worked to obtain reimbursement from the state and federal governments for damages sustained throughout the 12 counties of the DETCOG region.
He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and one family member who eulogized him online stated that he will be remembered for “his quick wit, eloquent speeches, deep wisdom and infectious laugh.”
In 2011, Owens was named the “Ralph W. Steen Memorial East Texan of the Year” at the annual Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) meeting. The late historian Archie P. McDonald said of Owens that he “strived to continuously improve his life and the lives of those around him by having strong principles and a commitment to serve and make a difference in our community.”
Throughout his career in public service, Owens received many awards recognizing his leadership and skills, including the American Hometown Leadership Award and the Award for Excellence in Community Service, which is given by the Texas Association of County Judges and Commissioners. He was also named “Citizen of the Year” by the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce, and appointed by former governor Rick Perry to chair the Texas State Community Development Review Committee in Austin. Owens also served as past president of DETCOG and the Deep East Texas County Commissioners and Judges Association. He also served on the board of directors for the Tyler County Hospital.
Owens is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn Fraser Owens and his daughters Stacy Ekstein and Shar O’ Sundie, as well as five grandchildren.
