Benjamin Owens Sr.

Benjamin Franklin Owens, Sr. (Ben) passed away May 13th, 2022, in Grand Junction, CO. Ben was born July 10, 1947, in Tucson, AZ where he lived until he attended college in Thatcher, AZ at Eastern Arizona College. While he was at Eastern Arizona College, he was able to play football on a full ride scholarship. There he met the love of his life, Cindy, and they were married April 13, 1968. They had five children.

He started his firefighting career in 1972 for Rural Metro Fire Department in Tucson. In 1974, he became a fire officer. His employment with Rural Metro allowed him to work across southern Arizona. He ultimately followed his dream and became a fire chief in 1977. He was with Rural Metro Fire Department until 1988 when he became fire chief of the Laveen Fire Department. In 1997, the family moved to Show Low, AZ where he became the fire chief of the Show Low Fire Department. He retired in 2012 from his career in the fire service. In 2018, he and Cindy moved to Loma, CO.

Ben was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding various leadership positions. He enjoyed coaching youth football and high school football. He loved being outdoors doing his favorite activities which included hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a master builder and loved making projects for his family, ranging from jewelry boxes to pig barns. The thing he loved the most though was his family. He was his children’s and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader.

Ben is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cindy; his children, Amy (Jim) Tidwell, Ben (Deb) Owens, Talie Owens, Tim (Arin) Owens, Brian (Britney) Owens; 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Jackie (Bryan) Myers and Bernice (Bill) McMahon. He is preceded in death by his father, Bill Owens; his mother and stepfather, Delores and Jack Gleason; and his two brothers, Neil Crowl and Billy Ray Owens.