Randy Lee Owens

Randy Lee Owens, proud veteran of the United States Navy, passed away on March 30th, 2024 in Dunnellon, Florida at the age of 71. Randy was born in Hopewell, Virginia on June 24th, 1952 and spent his childhood in Farmville, North Carolina until his enlistment in the U.S. Navy in 1969. Randy married his wife Patricia (Pat) in 1976. They welcomed their first daughter Brandi to the world in 1976 and their second daughter Amanda in 1986. A devoted husband and father, he always made sure they knew he loved them with “his whole heart.” During his enlistment in the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the U.S.S. Newport News from ’71-’72, the U.S.S Spartanburg from ’74-’78, the U.S.S. Manitowoc from ’81-’83, and the U.S.S. Scott from ’83-’86. Randy retired from the Navy as a Gunner’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare Specialist) after 23 years of service in 1993, settling down in the last place his family was stationed: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Following his retirement, Randy worked as a civilian in the motor pool at Carlisle Army Barracks before becoming a driver for the Cumberland County Shared Ride Program. Afterwards, he and his wife retired to Dunnellon, FL in 2017. In his free time, Randy enjoyed freshwater fishing and woodworking. A voracious reader, especially of Civil War History, Randy enjoyed showing friends, family, and acquaintances around the Gettysburg battlefield, sure to always sprinkle in interesting tidbits and local lore. Randy was an avid bluegrass listener who loved attending live performances and could regularly be heard whistling a tune throughout the day. Additionally, he was passionate about firearms and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. To his family and friends, Randy was known to be kind, compassionate, and selfless. He was always willing to go out of his way to lend a helping hand. A dear friend has said that Randy “never met a stranger,” while many of his newer friends in Florida referred to him as “Mr. Wonderful.” His unique and often quirky sense of humor could leave you laughing until you cried. Randy was survived by Pat, his wife of 48 years, his daughters Brandi and Amanda, his sisters Elizabeth (Pete) and Linda, his brother Salvatore (Sonny), and countless, cherished extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Hilda, his father Walter, and his step-mother Dorothy. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 at Queen Anne Cemetery in Fountain, North Carolina. Reception to follow. The service is being coordinated by Farmville Funeral Home, Farmville, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of GMCS (SW) Randy Owens to the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Randy Lee Owens, please visit our floral store.