George Owen Dies

04/10/06

Retired Woodmen Executive Vice President George E. Owen died December 31, 2004, at the age of 92.

Owen became a Woodmen member in Tallahassee, Fla., more than 50 years ago when he joined Camp 2. He served as Camp president and president of the jurisdiction before moving to Omaha in 1960 to become vice president and general counsel.

His legal background included serving as assistant general attorney in charge of law enforcement for the state of Florida. In 1971, Owen was promoted to executive vice president. In this position, he was in charge of all fraternal affairs and also served as chairman of the Fraternal Committee and as a member of the Administrative and Investment Committees. In October of that same year, he completed a term as president of the National Fraternal Congress of America.

Owen was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie “Nick” Owen; and brother, Alfred Owen. Survivors include his son, Woodmen Director William C. Owen, and his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Judith Wilde; sister and brother-in-law, Francis and J. T. Boling; grandsons, Thomas, Adam and Nick Wilde, William Owen and Robert Phillips; step-grandson, Jason Gurley; step-granddaughter, Amanda Gurley; great-grandsons, Jack Philips and William Owen; and many nieces and nephews.