Frank Owen

Dr. Frank Owen, 93, of Lexington, Ky., died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, at Lexington's Hospice Center of the Bluegrass.

He was born June 28, 1913, in Marble Hill, Mo., and reared in several Southeast Missouri towns. This included Cape Girardeau where he received a bachelor of arts degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1937. He was captain of the school's first conference champion basketball team.

Following his graduation he was WPA district supervisor for 33 counties.

He married Sue Burch more than 60 years ago.

Owen held several student pastorates in Missouri and Kentucky. Following his 1942 graduation from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville with a master of divinity degree, he served churches in Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky, including 18 years as pastor of Lexington's Calvary Baptist Church.

He was formerly involved in the leadership of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and its national affiliate, the Southern Baptist Convention. He served on the boards of Georgetown College, Bethel College and Southern Baptist Seminary.

The Kentucky Baptist Convention elected him its executive secretary-treasurer, the chief executive officer, and he served in that position from Sept. 1, 1972, until April 30, 1983.

During World War II he volunteered his service as a U.S. Army chaplain, serving with combat troops in the Army ground forces in the European Theater of Operations. He received the Bronze Star and the War Department Letter of Commendation. He was with the division that liberated the concentration camp at Dachau. He concluded his service with the rank of major.

He was a Mason and Kiwanis Club member.

Survivors include three sons, Franklin Owen Jr. and William Owen of Lexington; Dr. John Owen of Winchester, Ky.; a brother, Carroll Owen of Franklin, Tenn.; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Visitation will be Friday at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington from 3 to 5 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery.

Milward Funeral Home-Broadway in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.