W. Thomas Owens, 64, of Bellefonte died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 at his mother’s residence.
Born July 11, 1952 at Altoona, he was the son of Lois M. (Laudenslager) Owens of State College and the late Robert Creighton Owens.
He was a 1971 graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola High School and received his Master’s degree in music education from Penn State University.
He was proud to be a member of the Penn State Blue Band while attending college.
He was previously employed with the Chambersburg School District. He had been the organist at the Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church, Philipsburg First Lutheran Church, Lanse Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bellefonte Presbyterian Church where he was currently attending.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing and painting. He had a passion for music, gardening, Penn State football, tailgates, food, hockey and his dog, Jesse. His laughter could fill a room touched by his joie de vivre.
His life was dedicated to God, music and family. He was interested in all things around him and gathered knowledge about it. Music was his life and he lived it fully.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by a brother, David Owens and his wife, Tammy of Winburne; a sister, Mary Jane Kephart and her husband, Matthew of Winburne; nieces, Michele Rosselot and her husband, Robert, Susan Owens, Sarah Miller and her husband, Albert, Emily Abusad and her husband Abood and Ashley Owens; and nephews, Robert Owens, William Owens and his wife, Lindsey, James Owens and Gabriel Kephart.
He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Robert Michael Owens.
A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at Philipsburg Cemetery. There will be no public visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bellefonte Presbyterian Church, 203 N. Spring St., Bellefonte, PA 16823 or to Lanse Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 114, Lanse, PA 16849.
Arrangements are under the direction of the David K. Dahlgren Funeral Home, 228 N. Centre St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.dahlgrenfuneralhome.com.
“Music is not what I do; it’s who I am. Music speaks what cannot be expressed; soothes the mind and gives it rest. Heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from the heaven to the soul.”