Michael D. Owens, age 65, passed into the presence of his Creator and Lord at his Colorado Springs home on October 17, 2016, following 6 & ½ years of courageous battle against Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Michael was born on September 12, 1951, in Richmond, Indiana, to parents Delbert W. Owens and Thelma Lakes Owens, both of whom preceded him in death.
Michael honorably served as an Indiana State Trooper for 28 years (PE2511), retiring in 2001, as a Lieutenant and District Commander of the Pendleton Post, the most awarded and successful District in the State. It was during this time that he completed his Master’s degree in Public Management from Indiana University, in addition to receiving a diploma from Northwestern University (4.0 GPA). Michael had enough college credits for a PhD.
During his Indiana State Police (ISP) career he also served as the Indiana State Capitol Police Director, tasked with rebuilding and professionalizing the Indiana State Capitol Police Department following a year at Northwestern University in the P.A.T.P. Program. Michael also served as the first LASER specialist for the Indiana State Police Crime Lab, the Assistant Division Commander of the Fiscal Division, and as security planner/liaison for major international events such as the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and Formula One races, and numerous smaller events. He further served as the Indiana State Police Central Field Operations Tactical Intervention Platoon Commander (Riot Platoon) for Connersville – Pendleton – Indianapolis – Putnamville & Terre Haute; and as the State Police liaison to the Indiana Department of Corrections: Pendleton Reformatory, Corrections Industrial Complex, and Juvenile Facility.
Following his 2001, ISP retirement, Michael was employed for several years as the Police Chief for Earlham College. While working there, he also instructed for Earlham College, as well as for Indiana University. Michael subsequently added Indiana Wesleyan University and Harrison College to his adjunct professor teaching resume.
Michael was employed from 2004 to October 2009, at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, serving as the Director of Special Facilities that included responsibilities of supervising employees, event Coordination and Scheduling, management of performing arts auditorium, college football stadium, basketball arena, college baseball field, and other athletic facilities, a Guest lecturer: Behind the Scenes at Miami, Chairman, Commencement Committee, along with financial and budgeting responsibilities.
Michael continued as an adjunct professor for Indiana University through October of 2012, when his illness then forced him into permanent full-disability/retirement.
Michael was a member of the Indiana Trooper’s Association, American Association of State Troopers, FOP #63 John W. Hennigar Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, and Hillcrest Church, Richmond, Indiana. Michael also served the City of Richmond, Indiana, as a past board member on the Planning Commission, as well as a past board member on the Tree Commission.
Michael is a well-known man of integrity, and highly respected throughout his professional careers, and also in his personal life. He is described as “the best husband in the world,” ‘the best boss in the world,” and as a most loving father. He honored and served his parents throughout their lives. Michael loved playing his guitar, song writing, golf, Nascar, traveling, horseback riding, physical fitness, his tv crime shows and westerns; and in recent months he immensely enjoyed thumb wrestling. He never complained throughout his extremely debilitating illness; he never gave up; he never lost his faith; he was the epitome of bravery.
Survivors include his wife of 17 ½ years, Julia Owens; son, Michael Brandon Owens of Richmond, Indiana; step-sons, Scott Randall of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Jeremy Randall of Korea; granddaughter, Sydney Owens of Clayton, Indiana.
He is also survived by his Aunt Icie (George) Poynter, and Aunt Wanda (Oscar) Hensley, and Aunt Ruth Owens, all of Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County, Ky; and Aunt Glenna Mink, of Lexington, Ky; Uncle Duane (Mary) Lakes of Indianapolis, Indiana; and many loving cousins, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews-in-law, niece-in-law, and friends.
He was preceded in death by grandparents Charles and Anna (Laswell) Owens of Orlando, Ky; and grandparents Estel and Celia (Mullins) Lakes, Richmond, In; Uncle Hubert Owens and Uncle Lloyd Owens of Mt. Vernon, Ky; Uncle Wayne Lakes, of Indiana; Aunt Elsie Click and Aunt Ella Abney of Florida.
Visitation for Michael D. Owens will be from 12:00pm-1:00pm, (MST) Tuesday, October 25th, Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Funeral service will be at 1:00pm, Tuesday, at Swan-Law with Rev. Deitrick officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery following the service.