“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” –Harold Robbins

David James Owens was born with his twin, Lawrence Owens, on March 13, 1937, in Linden, Texas, to the late Alfred Lee Owens Sr. and Roxie Lee Owens. In 1941, the Owens family moved to Orange County, California, in search of a better life. Sonny began his education in 1943 at Maple Elementary School and continued on to Wilshire Junior High School, Fullerton Union High School, and Fullerton Junior College.

David was a gifted athlete who set a national prep record in both the high and low hurdles while attending Fullerton Union High School. In high school, Sonny excelled as a multi-sport athlete, participating in baseball, basketball, and football. Additionally, he was elected as the Student Body President during his senior year.
David proudly served in the United States Army. After receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his education at Fullerton College.

He went on to work as an Electrical Engineering Designer at Ford Aerospace, where he eventually retired after 30 years.
On June 6, 1964, David married the love of his life, Claudette Arbouet Owens. Together, they raised their three children, Vida, Florence, David, and granddaughter Naomi, with love, laughter, and deep faith. Family was everything to David. He was a humble man and a role model to all who knew him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He and Claudette traveled the world together and were constant fixtures at high school and college sports games, especially those played by their children and grandchildren.

David served as the president of the Leon Owens Foundation for many years. One of his favorite events was the Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, which supported causes close to his heart, including college scholarships for underrepresented students, the Shoes for Kids Project, and numerous other charities. Giving back to his community was more than a passion—it was a way of life for him.

David passed away on May 29, 2025. The burial will be 2:30 pm Thursday, June 25 at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, Ca

He is survived by his loving wife, Claudette Arbouet Owens; children, Florence Owens-Davis, David Kane Owens, son-in-law, Michael L. Davis and grandchildren, the apples of his eye: Naomi Grant, Simeon Davis, Vida Davis, Seth Davis, Kayia Owens, Drew Owens, and Kayla Owens. In addition, his siblings Dorothy Whitehurst and Theodore Owens, brothers-in-law Remus Arbouet Jr.,  Jean Arbouet, John McClannahan, and sisters-in-law Florence Arbouet, Patricia Owens, Lowanna Owens, Romell Foster Owens, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vida C. Owens Grant, parents, Alfred Lee Owens Sr. and Roxie Lee Love Owens, and siblings Jewell Owens, Leon Owens, Lawrence Owens-Jeffries, Alfred Owens Jr., Brigman Owens, Marvin Owens, Jessie Owens, Shirley Owens-McClannahan, and Audrey Mae Gardner.