Mr. Obie Neal Owen, age 94 of Snead, passed away Friday, July 31, 2020 at Cullman Regional Medical Center.

Yesterday, July 31, 2020, a fine, generous, courageous, and loving warrior  for his country and his God, Obie Neal Owen, passed out of this life to join, as he had been known to assuredly declare, his wife Claudie who had left this world several years earlier, and to join his God and triumphant angels in Heaven!  Neal fell at home and broke his femur for which he was taken to Cullman Regional Hospital, and after several days was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Hanceville, Alabama.  It was there that he began exhibiting symptoms of the Covid 19 Coronavirus, and was taken back to Cullman Hospital where his health continued to decline rapidly until his death Sunday evening, July 31 ^st .

Neal led an outstanding life!  At the tender age of 17, he joined the United States Army and served his country well in that service.  Upon completion of his service in the army, he joined the United States Navy where he was when he was sent to combat in the South Pacific during World War II.  He was aboard his ship anchored near the U.S.S. Arizona where he observed the surrender of the Japanese bringing that arena of the war to a victorious conclusion for his country.  After the war and completion of his stint in the navy, Neal joined the United States Air Force to further serve his beloved country until he retired from that branch of the service.

Mr. Owen was a member of Snead United Methodist Church, and several prestigious fraternal orders and clubs.  He was a hard working welder and pipe-fitter, and an avid horticulturist and animal husbandman, but mostly he was a kind and loving husband to Claudie Irvin Kilpatrick and her Irvin and Kilpatrick families both of which adopted him as one of their own!  After Claudie departed this life, his surrogate daughter, Regenia Kilpatrick Fowler James who cared for him exactly as a daughter which she considered herself to be, right up to the end.  David Kilpatrick also loved and respected him, and enjoyed nothing more than having a rousing discussion of history with the highly knowledgeable Neal.  Ott, Wichien Choosilp, a latecomer to the United States, also came to love and look up to him as a great man!

Everybody who knew Neal loved and respected him as the outstanding man he assuredly was,  the world lost a valiant man when Neal drew his last breath.  Thank you Neal for being who you were and allowing all of us to be a part of your journey here!  Goodbye for now . . .

He is preceded in death by his wife – Claudie V. Irvin Kilpatrick Owen; his parents – Benjamin King and Mary Elizah (McCray) Owen; his brothers – Gene Owen, Benny Owen, and John Owen; his sister – Robert Owen Clem; 2 sets of twin siblings; his sons-in-law – Wayne Fowler and Bill James; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Owen is survived by his step-daughter – Regenia Kilpatrick Fowler James of Snead; his step-son – David Kilpatrick of Athens; his chosen step-son – Wichien "Ott" Choosilp of Athens; his chosen grandson – Joshua Dewayne Johnson; his chosen great grandsons – Eli Dewayne Johnson and Jaxon Ray Johnson; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Due to Mr. Owen being affected by the Covid-19 Virus the family has chosen to do a private family service.