Ezekiel Owens Jr., 91, died February 19, 2021, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. A native Memphian, he was born January 21, 1930.

He graduated from Manassas High School in 1948 and continued his education at the former LeMoyne College (now LeMoyne-Owen College), graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in education. During his matriculation there, he was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, Beta Mu Chapter in 1955. He earned a master’s degree in History from the former Memphis State University (now University of Memphis). A fixture of the Memphis City Schools for almost 40 years, Mr. Owens was considered by many as an important personal and professional influence. Known as “Pop” by many of his students, he began his career at Porter Junior High School. He taught at Vance Junior High School before retiring from Northside High School in 1997. He taught History, Geography, Civics, Political Science, Economics and Street Law.

Mr. Owens was a longtime faithful and committed member of Parkway Village Church of Christ where he served as a master Sunday school teacher for the adult class and worked with the church finance staff. He was recognized for his service with the Youth Group’s Bible Bowl teams and for his dedication to the Girl Scouts Cadet and Senior troops at the church. He was named an honorary member of the Governor’s staff, an Aide-de-Camp with the honorary rank and title of Colonel by Governor Don Sundquist for his achievements and extraordinary contributions to the community.

He is survived by his daughter, Denise O. Miller, of Wisconsin; brothers Mack Owens of California and Bobby Owens of Georgia; sister Edna “Lucy” Owens of Illinois; stepdaughter Anne B. Jackson of Georgia; granddaughters Lauren (Brian) Bunke of Washington state, Shannon (Justin) Gorder of Japan and Alexis Jackson of Georgia; grandson Guy Fisk of California; and great-grandsons Owen and Evan Bunke, special cousins Kwurly Floyd Tate and Ruby Davis, as well as a large extended family.

He also leaves his caregiver Rev. Dr. Inetta F. Rogers and extended (adoptive) Memphis families Rogers, Stout, Long and Dorris.

Mr. Owens was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Owens; parents Ezekiel and Edna Owens Sr.; siblings Laura Ann Owens-Lauderdale, Artessa Owens, Congressman Major Owens and Delores “Peaches” Dockery; son-in-law Hebert Miller; and stepchildren, Carolyn Jackson Fisk and Lyle Jackson.

Visitation is Friday, March 5, 2021 from 12:00 noon to1:00 p.m. followed by the Homegoing Celebration at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated, P. O. Box 632 Memphis, TN 38101-0632 or LeMoyne-Owen College, 807 Walker Avenue. Memphis, TN 38126.

Services entrusted to and will be held at R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, 2944 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38111.

Additionally, the services will be live-streamed. Please visit rslewisandsonsfuneralhome.com and click view live stream at the time of the service.