John Elliot Owen
October 4th, 1939 - January 22nd, 2025
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John's Obituary
John Elliot Owen, 85, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on January 22, 2025. He is reunited with his beloved Jeannie. They are together, dancing and laughing in heaven!
John was born October 4, 1939 in Bay City, MI, to Dale and Jean (Sydney) Owen. On April 4, 1981, he married the love of his life, his wife, also named Jean, in Bay City, MI. John graduated from George Williams College in Chicago. He taught English and Humanities at All Saints HS in Bay City. He and his wife Jean owned a photography studio in Bay City, and then another studio when they moved to Portage, MI. John lived a life of service to others. He taught swimming at YMCA camps and was active in all his churches as a Eucharistic Minister, most recently at St. Augustine Episcopal. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of MI. He and his wife co-founded the Great Lakes Institute of Professional Photography. John was a world traveler and had a great sense of humor. He earned numerous awards as a professional photographer, and he was a life-long animal lover. He was a fabulous dancer, scuba diver, swimmer, and sailboat owner and captain.
John is survived by his children, Lisa (Steve) Burgoyne, Michael (Myra) Campsmith, Pam (Richard) Scarbrough, and Barbara (Kenny) Campsmith. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his brother, David; and his parents.
A celebration of his life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.
John was born October 4, 1939 in Bay City, MI, to Dale and Jean (Sydney) Owen. On April 4, 1981, he married the love of his life, his wife, also named Jean, in Bay City, MI. John graduated from George Williams College in Chicago. He taught English and Humanities at All Saints HS in Bay City. He and his wife Jean owned a photography studio in Bay City, and then another studio when they moved to Portage, MI. John lived a life of service to others. He taught swimming at YMCA camps and was active in all his churches as a Eucharistic Minister, most recently at St. Augustine Episcopal. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of MI. He and his wife co-founded the Great Lakes Institute of Professional Photography. John was a world traveler and had a great sense of humor. He earned numerous awards as a professional photographer, and he was a life-long animal lover. He was a fabulous dancer, scuba diver, swimmer, and sailboat owner and captain.
John is survived by his children, Lisa (Steve) Burgoyne, Michael (Myra) Campsmith, Pam (Richard) Scarbrough, and Barbara (Kenny) Campsmith. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his brother, David; and his parents.
A celebration of his life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.
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