Steven Hodge Owen

Steven Hodge Owen, 70, of Lubbock, was called home on Thursday, July 27th, after a brief battle with cancer. “Even-Steven” was the tenth child born to Lewis and Elizabeth Lupton Owen on March 18, 1953, in Lubbock. He attended Christ the King School and graduated from Jayton High School in 1971. Steve lived with his brother, Mike, and sister-in-law Kathy, in Jayton for his senior year of high school, where he was a tight end for the undefeated, 1970-1971 Jayton Jaybird football team, which still holds the school record for being the only undefeated 11 man football team in Jaybird history.

He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University; he was a member of Delta Sigma Pi and a founding member of Tech’s Chapter of the TKE Fraternity. He was an ardent supporter of the Red Raiders and a proud member of the TTU Alumni Association. He and several lifelong friends hosted tailgating for home football games for half a century.

Steve is married to Mary Corbett Owen, and they have enjoyed their large, blended family, along with traveling and memorable family vacations. Together they share four daughters, one son, four sons-in-law, five granddaughters, one grandson, and another grandson on the way.

His employment began at the age of six, delivering the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal with his brother, Sam. He also worked for Acme Brick and Employers Insurance. Steve retired with Sanford & Tatum Insurance Agency in 2021 after serving as an insurance advisor for 30 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, charter member of the Mountain Man golf group, and an active volunteer for Lubbock Meals on Wheels, and the South Plains Food Bank.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vicky Dooly Owen; infant son, Nicholas Wade Owen; sister, Carol Owen Primo; twin brothers, Ronald Lupton Owen and Donald Lewis Owen, brothers-in-law Dr. Harry Livingston, Bob Primo, and Bob Freeman; sister-in-law, Nancy Owen; and nephew, Wade Primo.

Steve loved spending time with family and friends, golfing, traveling, and following his favorite football teams (Jayton Jaybirds, Red Raiders, and Mahomes’ Chiefs).

He is survived by his wife, Mary Owen; son, Ryan Owen; daughters, Leigh Fox (Bradley); Kristin Hoes (Kevin); Stephanie Gish (Odes) and Elyse Hughes (Kale); grandson, Elliot Gish; granddaughters, Trinity Fox, Kennedy Fox, Ember Fox, Adilynn Gish, and Kollyn Hughes. Steve is also survived by brothers, Mike Owen (Kathy) and Sam Owen (Irene), as well as sisters Sandra Livingston, Gail Freeman, Mary Jeansonne (Gene), and Karen Moroney (Dennis) as well as numerous adoring cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family visitation and an Irish Farewell will be held from 6-9pm on Friday, July 28th in the Canyon Room at the Overton Hotel. A Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday, July 29th at 11am at St. Elizabeth University Parish in Lubbock officiated by Fr. Emiliano Zapata. Private interment at Resthaven Memorial Park will follow at a later date.

The family would like to thank the care team at Joe Arrington Cancer Center and Covenant Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, Steve would appreciate memorial donations to support the Elizabeth Lupton Owen Endowed Scholarship, c/o CTK Diocesan Schools Foundation, 4011 54th St, Lubbock, TX 79413.