Mr. James Jeffery Owens

SFC(Retired) James Jeffery Owens, Jr., was born on June 9, 1978, in Orangeburg, SC. He was the son of Mr. James and Mrs. Lillie Mae Owens. He entered eternal rest on Friday, June 18, 2021, at Lexington Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 43. Although he was the youngest of six children and the only boy, he was the protector of his five older sisters. James graduated from Edisto High School, Class of 1996, and joined the United States Army shortly thereafter. He attended One Station Unit Training in Fort Benning, Georgia, as an Infantryman. He later reclassified and became a Human Resources Professional. During James’ prestigious military career, he served in various leadership positions from Squad Leader to Platoon Sergeant. He was known as a consummate professional who lived by the Army Values. He was a competent, courageous, committed, and caring professional who trained and mentored hundreds of soldiers. His genuine and humble spirit, coupled with his dedication and motivation, set the example for all others to emulate. His duty stations included Hohenfels, Germany; Fort Lewis, Washington; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His military tours of duty also included: three combat tours to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Some of his military awards and decorations include the: Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award); Army Commendation (4th Award); Army Achievement Medal (4th Award); Afghanistan Campaign with 3 campaign stars; Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award); Valorous Unit Commendation; Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award). James retired from the Army in September of 2016, after 20 years of service. After retirement, he worked for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a Training Developer. Later, he returned to the United States Army Soldier Support Institute (SSI), Fort Jackson, where he continued to serve in the capacities of Training Developer and Instructor. He transitioned to the Civil Service in 2019, as a Training Specialist for the Center for the Army Profession and Leadership, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His final assignment as a Civil Servant was again with the SSI as a Training Specialist. James was always learning and growing. He earned an Associate’s degree from American Military University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Training Development from Limestone University, Gaffney, South Carolina. Before succumbing to his illness, James was accepted into the MBA Program at Limestone University in May 2021. James grew up in a family that loved the Lord, and he was baptized at an early age at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Cope, South Carolina. He was married to the love of his life, Svjetlana Mutic Owens for twenty-one years, and to this union was born one son and two daughters. Outside of his professional duties, he enjoyed watching and cheering for his favorite team, the Carolina Panthers. But his greatest joy came from spending time with his family, grilling, traveling, bowling, fishing, and hunting. James was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. James and Mrs. Lillie Mae Owens. SFC (Retired) James Jeffery Owens, Jr. leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and dedicated wife, Svjetlana Mutic Owens; one son, Kevin Owens, of Anchorage, Alaska; two daughters, Dasia Owens and Jaelynn Owens, of Columbia, SC; five sisters, Thomasena Garrett (Ricky Myers), of Columbia, SC; Wanda (William) Garrett, of Plant City, FL; Linda Benjamin, of Orangeburg, SC; Sharon (Calvin L.) Heatley, of Orangeburg, SC; and Monica Owens, of Columbia, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.