Charles "Ellis" Owens

Charles “Ellis” Owens, age 81 of Ranger, passed away on Tuesday evening, October 1, 2013 at his residence. Ellis was born on December 24, 1931 in Gordon County to the late Paul Owens and Estelle Tipton Owens. He was a 20 year veteran of the United States Army serving as an Army Ranger in both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He proudly served as a member of 3rd U.S. Infantry also known as “The Old Guard.” The Old Guard was established in 1784 and is the oldest active duty infantry in the Army, where their duties included the security of Washington, D.C. and escort for the President of the United States as well as Ceremonial Tributes for fallen soldiers. Also during his career he served as an Army Ranger instructor at Mountaineering School in Camp Merrill near Dahlonega. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Eddie and Chuck Owens. Survivors include his wife Annie Mae Owens of Ranger; three daughters, Dendia Chastain and her husband Charles of Talking Rock, Debbie Watts and her husband Ron of Cumming, and Kay Andrews and her husband Danny of Cartersville; six grandchildren, Jeremy Silvers and his wife Melanie, Kris Silvers and his wife Danielle, Crystal Dale and her husband Michael, Joshua Andrews, Jordan Andrews, and Haley Owens; one great-grandson, Fletcher Ellis Silvers; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday, October 4th at 2:00 from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with the Reverend Harold Owens officiating. Brian Craig will have charge of music. Burial will follow in Hopewell Cemetery with full military honors provided by the 5th Ranger Battalion of Fort Merrill. Pallbearers serving include Joshua Andrews, Jeremy Silvers, Kris Silvers, Michael Dale, Bobby Guess, Johnny Owens Brad Cochran and Bobby Childers. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Thomas Funeral Home, and also on Friday at 11:00am until the funeral hour at 2:00pm. You may leave the Owens family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Charles “Ellis” Owens.