Jay Owen and Zerita Joyce (Zee) Mackey
Husband Jay Owen
Born: 18 Sep 1923 - Beaver Creek, Clackamas County, OR Baptized: Died: 30 Sep 2018 - OR Buried: - Buried at sea Find A Grave ID: 194281787Marriage: 1947
Wife Zerita Joyce (Zee) Mackey
Born: 6 Nov 1924 - Portland, Multnomah County, OR Baptized: Died: 19 Dec 2010 - Gresham, Multnomah County, OR Buried: - Cremated, ashes scattered at sea Find A Grave ID: 120538681
Father: Frank Forrester Mackey {FGID: 9339936} Mother: Clarice Leta Wolverton {FSID: L9PF-68G, FGID: 183278054}
Children
1 M David Owen
Born: Baptized: Died: Buried:
2 M John Owen
Born: Baptized: Died: Buried:Spouse: Linda ?
3 M Larry Owen
Born: Baptized: Died: Buried:Spouse: Lisa ?
4 F Laurie J. Owen
Born: Cir 1948 Baptized: Died: Buried:Spouse: Dennis J. Petrie
5 F Suzy Owen
Born: Cir 1961 Baptized: Died: Buried:Spouse: Fred Armstrong Marr: 18 Dec 2014
General Notes: Husband - Jay Owen
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194281787/jay-owen
BIRTH 18 Sep 1923
Beaver Creek, Clackamas County, Oregon, USA
DEATH 30 Sep 2018 (aged 95)
Oregon, USA
BURIAL Buried or Lost at Sea
MEMORIAL ID 194281787
Obituary for Jay Owen:
Jay loved a good party, so he was thrilled this year when all his family and friends gathered for his birthday. As he said at the party, "it's not every year you get to celebrate being 95 years old!" Everyone had a great time. Two weeks later, he passed away.
Born in Beavercreek, Ore., in 1923, Jay was the fourth of five children born to Jesse and Maud Owen. Later, the family moved to Northeast Kirby St. in Portland. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1941. After graduation, Jay went to work for US National Bank. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. His service included being stationed at Depoe Bay, Ore., where he patrolled the beaches of the central Oregon coast and being stationed on landing craft in Saipan harbor waiting for the invasion of Japan. After WWII, Dad stayed in the Coast Guard Reserves and was called up for the Korean War. He retired from the Coast Guard in 1984, but he always remained a proud "Coastie."
After the War, Jay returned to Portland. In 1946 he met the love of his life, Zerita Mackey. They married in 1947 and spent 63 wonderful years together until Zee's death in 2010.
With his outgoing personality, Jay decided to try work in sales, first with the Lou Johnson Co. from 1949-1952 and then in insurance. He worked at New York Life Insurance, Oregon Physician Service and then became a marketing representative for Kaiser Permanente in 1958. He stayed at Kaiser for 26 years, retiring in 1984.
Volunteering in the community was important to Jay. This included work with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, A.I.B., Tri-County Baseball (where he coached youth baseball), AARP and as a Portland Airport VIP. He worked with AARP after his retirement by organizing and presenting seminars for folks nearing retirement age. He also was elected to or served on several boards, including the Lynch School District, Multnomah County ESD, Mt. Hood Community College, The Presbytery of the Cascades and the Seafarers Mission Board. Jay was active in his church for over 50 years and served for many years as an elder.
Jay is survived by his brother, Richard Owen (Peggy); his five children, Laurie Petrie (Dennis), David Owen, John Owen (Linda), Larry Owen (Lisa) and Suzy Armstrong (Fred); his honorary son, Bart Bosque (Vickie); three grandchildren, Aurora Owen, Miranda Owen and Leslie Armstrong; and many nieces and nephews who will dearly miss their Uncle Jay.
The family will be having a Celebration of Life service in January 2019. Please save this date, Jan. 19, 2019. The service will be at 12:30 p.m., at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund or to Snow CAP.
Family Members
Spouse
Zerita Joyce Mackey Owen 1924–2010 (m. 1947)
Created by: John Losee
Added: 26 Oct 2018
Find A Grave Memorial 194281787
memorial page for Jay Owen (18 Sep 1923–30 Sep 2018), Find A Grave Memorial no. 194281787, ; Maintained by John Losee (contributor 11538799) Buried or Lost at Sea.
General Notes: Wife - Zerita Joyce (Zee) Mackey
https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KXP3-1RZ/frank-forrester-mackey-1878-1948
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120538681/zerita-joyce-owen
BIRTH 6 Nov 1924
Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, USA
DEATH 19 Dec 2010 (aged 86)
Gresham, Multnomah County, Oregon, USA
BURIAL Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea, Specifically: Zee and her husband were members of the Neptune Society.
MEMORIAL ID 120538681
Published in The Oregonian on Jan. 9, 2011:
Owen, Zerita 'Zee' Joyce (Mackey) - age 86.
11/06/1924 12/19/2010
Following a valiant four-year battle with cancer, Zerita "Zee" Owen passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loving husband, Jay, at her side. Her strength, courage and positive outlook throughout her struggle were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Zee was born in Portland and grew up in Gresham.
After graduating from Gresham High School in 1942, she worked for the telephone company. During World War II, she worked the switchboards on both V-E Day and V-J Day. She was also selected to be one of the operators sent to San Francisco to work during the writing of the United Nations Charter in 1945.
Her life got more exciting in 1946, when Zee met the love of her life, Jay Owen. It was truly destiny when their eyes met across a crowded dance floor. They married in 1947.
Later, in the 50s, Zerita was one of the first Tupperware dealers and then managers in Portland.
Community involvement was always an important part of Zee's life. The following is just a short list of her many volunteer activities over the years: president of the Jaycettes 1953-54, PTA president 1958-60, United Way neighborhood chairman 1967, AFS host family and chapter president 1966-67, YWCA board of directors, Cub Scout den mother, Blue Bird leader, Y-Teen leader, 1st secretary of the board for Snow CAP, SOAR Advisory Council 1994-95, managing editor Summerplace Homeowners Newsletter 1988-2005, and, most recently, Portland International Airport VIP 1997-2007. She also served as a deacon and a ruling elder in her church.
Zee's life long dream of being a teacher was realized in 1983, when she trained to be a tutor for Oregon Literacy. She advanced to being a tutor trainer and then, in 1988, she was named a senior tutor trainer. 1988 was also the year that Zerita was asked to accompany her learner to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Literacy Honors. At the reception, they were thrilled to meet then President-elect George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. In 1993, Zee helped form the Portland Literacy Council and was their secretary until 1995.
Zee enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and golf. For many years, she knitted sweaters for the Guideposts Knit for Kids program.
Zerita is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jay; daughters, Laurie Petrie and Suzy Armstrong; sons, David, John, and Larry Owen; and grandchildren, Aurora, Miranda, and Leslie.
A celebration of Zee's life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Savage Memorial Church or Heifer International.
Family Members
Parents
Frank Forrester Mackey 1878–1948
Clarice Leta Wolverton Mackey 1883–1964
Spouse
Jay Owen 1923–2018 (m. 1947)
Siblings
Francis Adam Mackey 1916–1995
Harold Edwin Mackey 1918–1992
Mary Charlotte Mackey Kenny 1920–2003
Vera Evelyn Mackey Davies 1921–2003
Created by: John Losee
Added: 19 Nov 2013
Find A Grave Memorial 120538681
memorial page for Zerita Joyce “"Zee"” Mackey Owen (6 Nov 1924–19 Dec 2010), Find A Grave Memorial no. 120538681, ; Maintained by John Losee (contributor 11538799) Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea, who reports a Zee and her husband were members of the Neptune Society..
Notes: Marriage
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194281787/jay-owen
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120538681/zerita-joyce-owen
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