Harrison "Harry" Owens

Harrison "Harry" Owens was born at home in Dutton, Alabama on August 17, 1945, to Elijah Milton and Pearl Lee Owens. Harry was the youngest of seven children. Harry's father was a sharecropper and Harry picked cotton on the farms with his siblings from a very young age. With his white blond hair, Harry earned the family nickname, "Cotton". Harry joined the U.S. Army at age 17 and served in the Dominican Republic, Japan and two tours in Vietnam. Harry was honorably discharged from active duty after achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. Thereafter, Harry served eight years with the U.S. Army Reserves with Company A, 11th S.F.G. until he was injured in a parachute jump in 1981.

Harry became a police officer in 1974 with the Chesterfield County Police Department, where he served for 25 years, initially in uniform patrol for 3 years and then primarily as a detective in Vice and Narcotics. Harry was also a member of the first SWAT team and the Tactical Team for the Chesterfield County Police Department.

Amongst his hobbies, Harry loved traveling out West, and Japan, Italy and Aruba were some of his favorite places to visit where he had many friends. Harry loved his fishing cottage and boat at Deltaville for 20 years and thereafter his beach condo at Virginia Beach. Harry coached Colt League baseball for several years and thereafter could be found watching nearly any college sport on television but especially his beloved Alabama football team! Roll Tide!

Harry passed away on November 2, 2026, at home on hospice after a valiant battle with cancer. Harry is survived by his beloved wife and partner of nearly 35 years, Mary B. Owens and his beloved golden retriever, Bama Owens. Harry was preceded in death by 3 brothers and a sister and is survived by his sister, Marie Williams, of Prattville, Alabama and his sister, Patricia Ann Mayer of Alexander City, Alabama, as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A memorial service for Harry will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Chester Presbyterian Church, 3424 W Hundred Road, Chester, VA 23831. The family is being served by the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Harry requested that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel to Towers, or SEVA GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue).

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1-3.