OWENS, SHERIDAN LEWIS, December 4, 1938 – August 18, 2008

Sheridan Lewis Owens, devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, brother and friend returned to his Heavenly Father and those who passed away before him, August 18, 2008, after a courageous battle which he valiantly endured for over one and a half years. During his confrontation, Sheridan never lost his dignity, valor, strength, sense of humor, or love of life and love of family and friends. He had tremendous support from his doctors, nurses, family, friends and neighbors. He was the first child of three children born in Malad, Idaho, December 4, 1938 to John Clair Owens and Dorothy Lewis Owens. He married Barbara Rumel June, 1961; they were blessed with five beautiful children. Barbara died October 27, 2001. He married Sandra (Sandy) Mugleston Meadows, April 9, 2005. Sandy’s three children also became part of his beautiful family. Together Sheridan and Sandy have a total of 30 grandchildren.

As a young boy his family moved from Malad to Twin Falls and then to Buhl. He became an Eagle Scout at age 16. He always had a love of airplanes and a desire to become a pilot one day. Sheridan was a friend collector – many who have been friends since childhood and through his lifetime. After graduation from Buhl High School, Sheridan headed with a good friend to Weber State College for a year, then spent a year at BYU, where he was a member of ROTC. With his great love of airplanes and a desire to fly, he enlisted in the Air Force. After boot camp he was transferred to Travis Air Base and had the opportunity to take flying lessons. From there he was transferred to Hill Air Force Base and was trained as an aviation mechanic. While at Hill Air Force Base flying a C-47 he accumulated about 1500 flying hours. Sheridan spent three years in Okinawa and was in the 33rd Air Rescue Squadron in maintenance. From that point he went to Vietnam quite early in the war as a rescue outfit to rescue U-2 pilots that were shot down over North Vietnam and China. Sheridan enjoyed many years flying for Northwest Pipe Lines and the Williams Company. He retired in 1999, saying that he did what he always dreamed of doing “flying airplanes”.

After retirement Sheridan built an airplane in his garage then had fun flying it. His biggest dream was to build a replica Pp-51 Mustang, a project he had waited his life to begin (the P-51 Mustang was an American long-range fighter aircraft that entered service with Allied Air Force in the middle years of World War II). He finished this project this spring with the help of great friends and was given recognition on a KSL TV News special. He named this plane “Lil Darlin” after the pet name he gave to his wife, Sandy. Building this plane was a monumental project, but a “labor of love” which he enjoyed tremendously.

Sheridan was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in various capacities. He was called on a mission in 1996 for the Family Service Substance Abuse Recovery Service, which he enjoyed serving for over two years. He loved serving the Lord, his family and friends and flying airplanes. He was loved and well respected by all who knew him.

He is survived by his lovely wife, Sandy, his 94 year old father, his sister, DD and husband, Dick White, brother and sister-in-law, Muggs and Jessie, five children and their spouses: Dee and Sherri Owens, Sherri and Doug Whitehead, Dennis and Kim Owens, Ellyn and Eric Franks, Mary Ann and matt Fowler and three step-children and their spouses: Jeff and Dawn Meadows, Rick and Julie Meadows, Cindy and Chad Boyce, and 30 beautiful grandchildren and lots of good friends and extended family members who dearly loved him.

Preceded in death by his mother, wife, Barbara, and sister, Sue.

Funeral services were held August 22, 2008 at the Holladay 2nd Ward Chapel. Graveside services for family and friends will be held August 23, 2008 at the Malad, Idaho, St. John Cemetery. Interment, Malad, Idaho, St. John Cemetery.