Cover photo for George Rapley Owens's Obituary
George Rapley Owens Profile Photo

George Rapley Owens

June 27, 1937 — October 24, 2024

Fairhope

George R. Owens—beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend—departed for his true home on October 24, 2024. He passed away suddenly at the age of 87.

He came into this world on June 27, 1937, as the youngest of 6 siblings and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. He met his soulmate and best friend, Lucretia Lee, at age 7 and married her at 23. They shared almost 64 years together and spent those years demonstrating love above all else: love for one another, love for family and friends, love for those they had even brief interactions with, and—above all—love for Christ Jesus. He told practically everyone he knew that he loved them, and he genuinely meant it.

George had two daughters, and each of them claim to have been his favorite. His three grandchildren were his pride and joy, and his descriptions of them made them sound as if they outshone the sun itself. He told anyone within earshot that “we have a great family.”

“Gorgeous George” loved to tell stories: stories about family, stories about friends, ghost stories, Auburn football stories and old southern legends, and—above all—stories about outrageous pranks he’d pulled. He loved nothing more than capturing everyone’s attention, especially if he could make you laugh. Despite his frequent medical visits in these recent years, he continued to have kind words and silly jokes for all of his caregivers. Even at his worst, he would tell you he as doing “Super Duper,” and he was the bright light and constant joy of everyone’s day. He made us all better just for knowing him.

George was a member of the first graduating year that API became Auburn University in 1961. He received a Building Construction degree from the School of Architecture and worked for American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) in the Engineering Department for 32 years. During that time, he served as chapter and national president of the National Management Association, and was honored as the Member of the Year in 1988. He was a long-time member of the Eastern Shore Church of Christ.

His legacy of love led him to serve on missions trips to the country of Belize and to Merida, Mexico. He also served as on the Birmingham Sunday School Council for Camp Winnataska.

His legacy remains with his wife Lucretia Owen; his daughters Letia Seaborn (Robert), and Becky Whiteside (Mitch); his grandchildren Owen Seaborn, Mason Seaborn (Haley) and Georgia Whiteside. Extended family includes Ashley Smith (Ian), Ryan Whiteside (Nichole), Bobby Sassaman, Kathryn Smith, and Jody Whiteside.

George was always the first to tell you that he was “the luckiest man in the world,” and made sure to constantly remind everyone how much he treasured them. So, we believe that to everyone he met he would like to say just one more time “have I told you today how much I love you?”

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations to Rainbow Omega, Inc., PO Box 740, Eastaboga, AL 36260-0740 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.


ARRANGEMENTS BY

WOLFE-BAYVIEW

FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY, INC.

19698 GREENO RD.

FAIRHOPE AL. 36532

(251) 990-7775

www.wolfefuneralhomes.com

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Rapley Owens, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, October 28, 2024

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Add to Calendar

Eastern Shore Church of Christ

1209 Daphne Avenue
Daphne, AL 36526

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Monday, October 28, 2024

2:00 - 3:00 pm (Central time)

Add to Calendar

Eastern Shore Church of Christ

1209 Daphne Avenue
Daphne, AL 36526

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 578

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors