WELCOME TO WEST VIRGINIA BRIDGE RIDE: THE 65 ARE HOME.
Sergeant Major Daniel Alan Owens
56, USAF
October 14 marks the passing of Sergeant Major Daniel Alan Owens, 56, of Jarvisville Road, Salem, WV, We honor and remember him, his late mother Imogene Martin Owens, and his surviving family.
SGM Owens was born in Fairmont, WV, on March 8, 1955. He departed this life suddenly on October 14, 2011, while on duty in Preston County WV.
He was a graduate of Shinnston High School and Methodist by faith. SMG Owens was on military leave from the Department of Highways. He was master sergeant on active duty (posthumously promoted) with the West National Guard at Camp Dawson. Since 2005, he had been the chief instructor of the 197th Regional Training Institute. He was a member of B.P.O.E. and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, both of Kingwood, WV. He was also a lifetime member of the Eangus Association. SMG Owens loved car shows and his 2004 Mustang convertible. SMG Owens greatest passion was taking calls from the men and women with whom he served and stood behind.
SGM Owen is survived by his wife of 38 years, Tina DeNese Kovar, whom he married on March 24, 1973. He is also survived by his son, William J. Owens (and companion, Brandy); two daughters, Melissa DeNese (Jeff) Jenkins and JoAnn Owens; 13 grandchildren; two sisters, Polly (Roger) Hager and Pam (Jamie) Fox and several nieces and nephews.
Let us always remember him, his family, and always....
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SPC Jason N Marchand
26, US Army
October 5 marks the passing of SPC Jason N Marchand, US Army, 26, of Greenwood WV. We honor and remember SPC. Jason Marchand, his mother Debbie Parsons, as well as his family. He was born April 8th,1981.
SPC Marchand, was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany and died Oct. 5th 2007 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations.
Jason had called his mother, Debbie Parsons, three days before he was killed Oct. 5 in North Baghdad. “He didn’t like it over there, but said, ‘This is my duty because I have to protect my family.’ And he had to be there with his soldiers; he said his buddies needed him,” said his mother. “He said, ‘I am going out there [on special assignment] for two weeks.’ He said, ‘Mommy, I love you’ and I said, ‘I love you too,’ ” she said.
Jason was a 2000 graduate of Doddridge County High School, where he was a member of the football and track teams. “He was a good all-around kid,” said Dan McConnell, who was Marchand’s football coach. “He was a good student, a good human being and he would do anything you asked of him.” “When it hits home, it hits you hard,” McConnell said. “You don’t think about things like that until it happens, and it is a reality that you have other guys out there, not just him. It is always on your mind, and you hope that they come home. He is going to be missed by a lot of people.”
Jason enjoyed life and loved being with friends, playing video games and having a good time. He was a collector of wolf pictures and figurines.
He leaves behind a wife and daughter.
Let us always remember him, his family, and...
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