Howard L. Owen was born on Sunday, November 15, 1914 and passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 1999 at age 84.  Howard lived a long life, and most of his life a checker player and promoter of the game.  He grew up in the central Tennessee area, Old Hickory and Murfreesboro, retired and lived about 13 years in St. Petersburg, Florida from '79 through '92 then moved back to Murfreesboro, TN.  He was a past ACF Treasurer for many years before Charles Walker, before '86 when President Homer Caulkins of Los Angeles, William Burke Grandjean - Secretary, and Treasurer, Howard Owen were officers. Another picture of Howard Owen. Ralph Agee become ACF Treasurer after Charles Walker resigned. Howard Owen resigned due to health reasons.

Howard fought cancer in his later years and lived much longer than the doctors predicted he would live.  Howard and wife Nell were residents of Murfreesboro, Tennessee at his death and buried at Hillview Cemetery in Alexandria, TN.

Howard L. Owen's extensive checker library was offered for sale by his daughter Mrs. Monica Thompson of Alexandria, TN. Over 500+ copies, (books, magazines, pamphlets, bulletins, newsletters, manuscripts, papers) were available, and many were quality hard back originals which were brought to the 2009 Tennessee State Open, Southern, and GAYP National.

Nell Rowland Owen - obituary (wife of Howard Owen) October 28, 2007

Nell Rowland Owen of Murfreesboro, a retired J.C. Penny Department Store employee, died Saturday, October 27, 2007, at age 93 year old in Middle Tennessee Medical Center. She was born in Alexandria and was a graduate of Turner Lawrence School in Alexandria. The funeral will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown. Burial will be in Hillview Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and prior to the service on Monday. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Howard L. Owen and parents, Pitt and Lena Eaton Rowland. Survivors include her daughters, Pamela M. Owen and Priscilla Ralston both of Murfreesboro and Monica and her husband Darryl Thompson of Alexandria. Grandchildren, Alice Napper Jones of Alexandria, Andrew Napper of Old Hickory, Sara Bottoms of Hermitage, Spencer Ralston of Hermitage, and Rebecca Haynes of Alexandria.  Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown is in charge of the arrangements.

Grandmasters, Masters, & Players Obituaries