Obituary: Owens, Walter P. “Pat”
Age 93
The third of nine children, Pat was born May 7th, 1921 in Yakima, WA to John (Jack) and Olivine Owens of Reardon, WA.
On September 6th, 1952, he married “the best”, Cecile (Cile) Phillippay Harper, at Sacred Heart Church in Spokane.
They raised their six children in Spokane, each of whom he was exceptionally proud.
Educated at Gonzaga University, Pat took flying classes at Felts Field in Spokane Valley.
He enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor and was commissioned to the carrier White Plains in 1943.
During a combat mission in the battle of Leyte Gulf he was forced to land on the USS St Lo moments before it was hit and sunk by a Japanese kamikaze.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross among other citations for heroic service in the Pacific Theatre during WWII.
Pat worked in the auto sales industry for nearly 40 years in the Spokane area, earning numerous awards and gaining the trust of many return customers.
He was a founding member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Gonzaga University Alumni Association, and various fraternal organizations.
Pat remained active in his later days.
In 2013, he and wife Cecile, an Army nurse, were both included in an Honor Flight to the WWII Memorials in Washington, DC.
A lifelong sports fan, he recently took a day trip to a Seattle Mariners game with his sons.
His afternoons were frequently spent counting the winnings from friendly poker games at “the office”- Spokane Southside Community and Senior Center.
Pat will be deeply missed by his wife of 62 years Cile, his children Phil (Judy) Harper of Spokane, Bob (Suzanne Little), Chris (Rosemarie Rotunno) and Pat (Danese) of Anchorage, Alaska, Jim of Spokane, and Kit (Richard) White of Enumclaw, WA.
His many beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a constant source of delight.
He is survived by his brothers Chuck, Jerry and sisters Edna and Olivine.
He was preceded in death by siblings John, Kay, Irene and Rosie.
There will be a private gravesite service, followed by a public reception on Friday, September 12th at 2:30 pm at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Spokane Southside Community and Senior Center at 3151 E. 27th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223.
The family extends profound thanks to Rockwood South Retirement Community for providing a healthy and supportive environment for both Pat and Cile in recent years, and where Cile continues to reside.
Please visit Pat’s online memorial page at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to leave a message of condolence.