Dennis King Owens

Dennis King Owens

Of Deposit, NY

Dennis “Denny’ King Owens, 86, of Main St. Deposit, NY, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at UHS Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, NY.

He was predeceased by his wife Jeanne (Hartz) Owens; parents Pete and Ethel Owens; and sister Linda Hohn.

Denny is survived by his brother Jack Owens; sister-in-law Lita Owens; mother-in-law Bernice Hartz; stepson Paul Young; daughter-in-law Laura Young; step grandson Henry Young; Niece Laura Reyna; and nephews Mark Herzog and Bryan Owens.

Denny was born in Deposit, New York on July 10, 1938, to Clarence “Pete” and Ethel Owens. He was the oldest of 3 children including his sister Linda and brother Jack.

He grew up in Deposit and Walton, New York graduating from Deposit High School in 1956. After high school, Dennis joined the Air Force, leaving New York for a short time. Although he enjoyed the warmer weather during his travels, Dennis always returned to upstate New York, and he became a New York State Trooper shortly after leaving the military.  While stationed in his hometown of Deposit for the NYSP, he met Jeanne Hartz and her young son, Paul.

Denny and Jeanne’s love blossomed and the two were married in 1978. Denny was a good husband and stepfather, always finding the right time and place to provide support and advice. Their marriage flourished for 38 years until Jeanne’s untimely death from cancer in 2016. Denny’s love and devotion for Jeanne was never more apparent than during her illness when he sat by her side every day, playing his guitar, and singing her favorite folk songs.

Throughout his life, Dennis had many, varied passions including reading, music, guns, airplanes, and good food. From a young age, Denny enjoyed reading and he read thousands of books throughout his lifetime, favoring books on history and biographies of important historical figures. Dennis was an avid pilot, and he owned several airplanes over the years. He spent lots of his free time flying with his friends to various airports around New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Dennis was also an accomplished gunsmith, and he made a second career from this passion upon his retirement from the NYSP. Denny was also a wonderful guitar player, specializing in “real” (traditional) country music and performing with his friends in the band, “The West Branch Ramblers” at locations surrounding Deposit until a few years ago.

Denny was a very social person, and he collected many friends over the years who shared his passions for food, music, reading and more. He was a true and loyal friend to many, and he spent his recent years pursuing his love of coffee at many fine establishments in the greater Deposit area. He was an active member of the Deposit Men’s Club and enjoyed his Friday Tea with the fellas. Dennis’ friends became a true lifeline for him upon Jeanne’s death and his own health battles such as macular degeneration. Even during difficult times, Denny found a way to smile his way through it, always quick with a joke or story about his favorite memories which often included chocolate, coffee or some kind of delicacy that could never be matched. All in all, Denny was an eclectic jack of all trades and a gentle friend who loved people and dogs.  He will be dearly missed by all those who had the privilege to know and love him.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 2pm at the Presbyterian Church 129, 2nd St. Deposit, NY.

There will be a reception at the church following the service.