Mr. Lessie T. Owens

March 24, 1937 - December 11, 2016

Mr. Lessie T. Owens, affectionately called by many “T”, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 11, 2016 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born on March 24th, the son of Willie an Blanche Owens in Prairie Point, MS. He has been a resident of Kalamazoo for 64 years. “T” was united into Holy matrimony to Mrs. Lavada I. (Lockett) Owens on November 12, 1960 and to this union they have four loving children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. On their 25th wedding anniversary the couple renewed their vows, with each of their children as attendants. Lessie Owens graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1983. Lessie was employed by Pre-Cast for a short period of time. He began working at General Motors in 1968. He was presented with several awards of recognition during his years at GM. He retired in 1993 as a Journeyman and Tool & Die Maker. Lessie joined Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in 1968 and was ordained as a Deacon. He also served on several other auxiliaries such as The inspirational Choir, The Male Chorus, an instructor for Adult & Intermediate Sunday School and various other aspects of the church. Galiliee awarded Deacon Owens the following awards 1994 Man of the Year during the Men’s Annual Day Program, The Outstanding Service & Dedication Award for Sunday School in 2004, and The Emeritus Deacon Award (Highest Rank) in 2014. Lessie was recognized by the Kalamazoo Gazette for his accomplishments as an avid sportsman, excelling in track, football, tennis, wrestling, golf, basketball, hunting, fishing, gardening and landscaping. He was one of the founders along with the late Nathaniel White Sr., of the Northside Rocket Football team, which established the team in 1976. Lessie continued to coach the 8-9 year old team until his sight failed him in 2003. The Northside Rocket Football Association (located within the Douglass Community Center) recognized Lessie Owens, along with the late Nathaniel White Sr. Lessie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lavada I. Owens; his parents, Willie and Blanche Owens; his aunt and uncle Sherrod and Rosalee White Jr.; uncle, Mr. John Green; father and mother-in-law, Joe and Hiawatha Lockett; sister-in-laws, Josie and Phyllis Lockett; brother-in-law, Daniel Thurmond and one friend, Donald West. T leaves to cherish his loving memory: three daughters, Ms. Cynthia M. Owens-White, Ms. Teresa V. Owens-Baker and Ms. Allisha B. Gray; one son, Mony S. Owens all of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren, Keyontae Owens, Ar’rel Baker, Montrell Baker, Alexander White Jr., Imogene’Gray, Ane’ah Reason, and Latrell Owens; three great grandchildren, Toshanae Owens, Luke Baker and Navayla White; four sisters, Minnie Thurmond, Lula (Curtis) Ivy, Barbara (James) Vallar, Jessie Owens and one brother, Johnnie Owens; aunts, Mrs. Corine Green, Ms. Beverly Lucas; one sister-in-law, Loistine Owens; three brother-in-laws, Roy (Jodie) Lockett, Larry Davis and Jasper (Melva) Williams; one son-in-law, Alexander White Sr. He had the honor of caring for 2 nieces, Yolanda Wilson-Latty and Amin Finch; and two nephews, Nigel Lockett and Jor Dan Finch; 2 god-children, Shondale Brown and Vicki Lynn DeVauld-Cohn. He was also a great inspiration to Tommie Turner. He also leaves behind special neighbors, Robert Bownes and Alton Miles; a special pet, Chubbz and a host of family, buddies and pals.