David Milton Owens

David Milton Owens was born January 20,1949, in Glendale, California, to William Milton Owens

and Marguerite Augustine Nicolas Owens. Dave joined a brother, Dennis James Owen. The

family moved to Bishop California, in 1954.

From the time Dave was a little boy he dreamed about going to Alaska. When he was 16, the

family moved to Kennewick, Washington where he met his future wife, Diana Anthony. Dave

was 18 when he started commercial fishing out of La Push, Washington. Later, Dave sold his

boat and went to work in the woods for a logging company.

When Dave was 22 he married his best friend, Diana Anthony in Joyce, Washington, on

January 16, 1971. They lived in Oregon where Dave logged for a short time, then moved to Port

Angeles, Washington. There they bought a 40’ boat (MV Wanderlust) which they lived on. In

May of 1972 they untied their boat and headed for Alaska. Dave was hired by Tyler Brothers

Logging on Zarembo Island. Dave worked on Zarembo Island for 10 years.

It was at this time that Dave drew near to his Savior, Jesus Christ. His relationship with His Lord

became central to His life. He poured much time and energy into studying Scripture, praying,

and serving in the church through preaching, teaching, and discipling younger men.

Dave obtained his private and commercial pilot license, and in 1975 he bought a Cessna 180

(N42464) on floats. In his bushplane with Diana as his co-pilot, he explored the lakes, rivers,

and coastline of southeast Alaska. He even flew the Yukon River!

During these years, his two children Anne and David were born. Dave was a devoted and

loving father to his two children and always took time to love and instruct them.

In 1982, the family moved north with the logging camp to the Indian village of Hoonah. Through

the years, Dave operated tugboats, barges, riverboats, and flew the company plane. The last 20

years Dave was superintendent of the road building crew for the logging company. The family

enjoyed hunting and camping.

In April, 2004, they moved to Three Forks Montana. They're active members in the Three Forks

Bible Church where Dave faithfully taught adult Sunday school and served as an elder. He and

Diana enjoyed camping, Jeeping kayaking, fixing things, solving problems, and playing on the

river with Anne’s family during the summers.

While the last 15 years of his life was spent battling with Parkinson’s disease, he patiently

endured this struggle trusting his sovereign God with his beloved Diana always by his side. His

victory was won when he passed through death into eternal life on June 5, 2021 surrounded by

loved ones. He is survived by his faithful wife of 50 years Diana, his brother Denny Owens, his

dearest daughter Anne (Fritz), his son Dave (Stephanie), his grandchildren (Elsa, Ava, Anya,

Nate, and David), nieces (Stephanie, Laura, Nicole), and countless friends and loved ones.

Memorial service to be held in Three Forks, Montana on August 19, 2021. Service details to be

announced at a later date