Obituary of Doyle Edgar Owens

Doyle E. Owens, Jr., age 92, died on February 23, 2020. Raised in Pitman, Doyle graduated from Pitman High School in 1944. A proud veteran, Doyle served in the US Navy during WWII (South Pacific Theatre) from 1944-1946 in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Ancon at the time of the Japanese surrender. After the war, he continued serving in the New Jersey National Guard Army where he trained recruits. He received his BA from Glassboro State College, and his Masters Degree in Vocational Administration from Temple University in 1967. He was employed by Mobil Oil Co. in Paulsboro while attending college. He was elected in 1966 to the Pitman Board of Education. He taught instrumentation and related physics at Salem County Technical Institute in 1967 and was assigned by the State Education Commission to assist in the planning of the new Cumberland County Vocational School. He served as the Superintendent of Cumberland County Vo-Tech School, where he guided the initiation of the program and construction of the original school, from 1971-91. Doyle was a member of the Pitman VFW Post #6469, member of the American Legion Elwood Kindle Post #49, and belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member and served as the President of the Bridgton Rotary Club, was inducted into the Pitman High School Hall of Fame, and traveled to all 50 states. He went back and visited the South Pacific where he served during the war. Predeceased by his daughter Linda, brother William, and sister Betty. Survived by his wife Gail (nee Smith), sons; Keith (Kathy) Owens of Pitman, Jeffrey Owens of Franklin Twp., Glen (Janice) Owens of Pittsgrove Twp, stepsons Brad (Annette) Rainear, Scot (Jane) Rainear, 10 grandchildren; Bradford, Glenda, Tessa, Shane, Cale, Keith Jr., Brian, Paul, Seth, and Mason Owens, Alyssa and Nicholas Rainear, and great grandchildren; Andrew, Sarah, Thomas, Rhiannon, Sawyer, Dealia, Keith III, James and Max. Also survived by his brother David (Connie) Owens of South Carolina, and sister Dolores Yahnke of Pitman. Friends may call on Friday from 9am to 11am in the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service at 11am. Interment Manahath Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to the American Heart Assoc., 1 Union Street, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or Alzheimer's Assoc., SJ Regional Office, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.