CLAUDE ROBERT OWENS, JR.

Claude Robert Owens, Jr., 69, of Richmond, MO died Saturday, February 27, 2016 at his home.

Claude was born on July 31, 1946 in Rome, GA to Claude Robert and Grace (Presley) Owens, Sr.  He married Gisela A. Pietralla of Eltmann, Germany on July 20, 1974. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Grace and Mike Howell of Lexington, MO, Elizabeth and Kevin Camp of Richmond and Janet Owens of Richmond; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Robert L. and Linda Owens of Smyrna, GA, Jimmy and Gloria Owens of Seale, AL and Ronald Owens of Cedartown, GA; three sisters and three brothers-in-law, Jeannie and Leslie Hawkins of Rome, GA, Frances and John Reddish of Cedartown, GA and Betty and Ernie Rowell of Seale, AL; five grandchildren, Nicole Barron, Kayla Howell, Dustin Camp, Dylan Howell and Marqus Owens; and one great-granddaughter, Lillian Barron.

In addition to his parents, Claude was preceded in death by one brother, James Owens.

Claude was a United States Army Veteran of Vietnam War before retiring as 1 ^st Sargent in 1991 after 27 years of service to his country.  He was a Jr. ROTC Instructor at the Southeast High School, Westport High School and Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington.  He was a lay minister at Excelsior Springs Convalescent Center.  He was a member of the Fleming Baptist Church.  Junior lived in Berlin, Germany before moving to Richmond in 1988. He was a member of the American Legion Post #237 and the VFW Post #4398 both in Richmond.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Family's Choice.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO where military honors will be provided by the Ray County Veterans. Online condolences may be left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .