Everyone always talks about where they were when tragedy struck. I remember my parents telling me about being in school when President Kennedy was assassinated. I was in morning instruction in flight deck firefighting school at Pensacola Naval Air Station when the World Trade Centers and Washington D.C. were attacked on 9/11. Tragic events are not easily forgotten.
February 13th wasn't such an historic day, or even a day with any significant value. That is until 2019 when one of the most positive and influential figures at Moffett Public School checked out of this world for his higher calling.
Jimmie Owens, described by all as a man of God, was devoted to Moffett school for more than 20 of his 25 years as an educator. According to school records, he began as a teacher of sciences and a coach of football, basketball and track. He became principal for nearly a decade before being named Superintendent in 2015.
By all accounts, Owens' death was unexpected. Family and friends acknowledged recent health issues, including open heart surgery, and noted a decrease in his workload, however the prognosis looked good and everyone was hopeful.
But, sometimes, life has other plans.
On May 4th, 2019, the town of Moffett celebrated at a dedication service as Jimmie Owens was honored in a renaming of a section of Old Highway 64. Nataya Dunlap was a 7th grader at school when she asked her mother if the old highway had a name. When she didn't receive a satisfactory answer, she proposed the idea to have the highway renamed in honor of Owens.
It's not every day that a 7th grader challenges the government and renames a highway on her second try. After the first attempt stalled, Nataya went back again because that's the type of civic backbone that Mr. Owens instilled in his students.
She succeeded. And that's his legacy.
Early this morning, Moffett teacher Paula Barnes-Tehee posted on Facebook,
"1 year without you. I still look for you walking around school. If I see a truck like yours, I think it’s you, then.... I remember. I miss you my friend.
Jimmie Owens is survived by his wife, Linelle, a son JJ and daughter-in-law Trinity, daughter Samantha Jo and granddaughter Eden Sinclair Owens.
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