Date of Service:
August 11, 2022
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Owen L. “Sonny” Lease passed away peacefully July 20,2022 surrounded by his family. He was born in Cumberland Maryland to Noah and Alice Lease on December 25,1929. Owen is survived by his loving wife Paulette of 68 years, two sons Thomas Lease and wife Ramona, Joseph Lease and wife Helen, and one daughter Audrey (Lease) Crowley and her husband James. He is survived by 6 grandchildren, Amanda (Lease) Moreno, Joseph Lease, Ashley Hill, James Hill, Cody Crowley, Amber (Lease) Nusser and 5 great grandchildren, Mackenzie Moreno, Kennedy Moreno, Haley Nusser, Wyatt Nusser, Kaylee Lease. Owen is survived by 3 brothers, Lawrence Lease, Martin Lease, Ernest Lease, and one sister Glenna Heavener. Other survivors include numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews
He was predeceased by his beautiful daughter Joanne Hill and brother Edward Lease.
Owen joined the United States Navy during WWII. He served on the aircraft carrier the USS Randolph and furthered his education by taking electrical engineering classes from various bases around the country. The Navy showed Owen some diverse geographical locations such as Italy, Malta, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Naples, and The Strait of Gibraltar to name a few. Owen received the following medals during his service: WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Following his Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Owen attended Bridgewater Teachers College in Boston Massachusetts. After his first year at Bridgewater, Owen applied to and was accepted into MIT, but finances prohibited that choice. The most memorable moment of his college days was meeting his soulmate Kathryn Paulette Germain. Their first date was to a basketball game. Their love for one another continued to flourish and wedding plans were made. During this time Owen chose another career path and followed his passion to pursue aviation. He applied for a position with Eastern Air Lines in Miami, Florida and was hired as an apprentice mechanic in 1952. Owen married the love of his life Kathryn Paulette Germain on November 27, 1954. He continued his education and training and in 1956 completed 4 years as an apprentice mechanic. Owen and Paulette lived in Silver Springs, Washington for a short period of time and then moved to Miami, Florida. This is where Owen and Paulette raised their family of four children. Owen managed to juggle the duties of being a devoted husband and loving Father while his aviation career skyrocketed. He later became a Flight Engineer, Pilot, Captain, and Check Captain. Owen became one of the top elite pilots in the country. In 1976 the FAA selected Owen as the first ever Check Captain for the 727, a very prestigious honor. On concourse A in the Atlanta Airport, there is a plaque honoring his service at Eastern Airlines. He retired on August 1,1987 at 57 years old to North Hutchinson Island after a career of 37 years in aviation. After retirement Owen decided to return to work and became an instructor for Flight Safety in Vero Beach where he worked for seven additional years before retiring again.
Owen had many hobbies. He enjoyed bowling, working out at the gym, playing cards, wood carving, silk flower arrangements, and stained-glass design. He loved old movies, especially old Westerns. He loved to read novels (especially Westerns). He was a cowboy at heart. He was a member of the American Legion, The Elk’s, ALPA, and REPA. Owen loved his country. What he treasured most was spending as much time as possible with this family. His love for his soulmate and wife, Paulette, who he always introduced as “His Bride”, was unmistakable. They were the perfect team, always together throughout their 68 years of marriage. Their life’s journey was full of love, and adventure. Owen will be remembered for his warm smile, sense of humor, and devotion to his family. He touched so many lives and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is in Heaven with his beautiful daughter Joanne, and they are smiling down on us and watching over us.
Services will be held at Lowther Funeral Home, 1655 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 on August 11, 2022. Family will welcome relatives and friends at 3:00 P.M. Services to follow at 4:00 P.M.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
© 2024 Lowther Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
Theresa Minter. HIW - Friend
August 2, 2022, 12:56 pm
Pauette I am so sorry for your loss. Owen always brought such joy to our Bridge Group. A twinkle in his eye and a smile on his charming face. Full of mischief and mystique. That was Owen. I will miss him. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your sweet memories will carry you through this devastating time.
Angel Marie Holzapfel - Friend
August 2, 2022, 5:52 pm
Owen was an amazing person inside and out… He always made me smile when he came into the office to see his Son, Thomas… He will be remembered and missed by many… My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I pray that they find piece… May you Rest In Piece Owen…
Leatrice Vasten - Sister
August 8, 2022, 11:58 pm
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. What a great picture of Owen.
Bruce and Victoria Wickwire - Friends
August 10, 2022, 4:52 pm
Dear friends like Owen and Paulette give our hearts hope! You can easily see it in their smiles. We were Blessed to know Owen and his bride Paulette as precious friends. Anytime we could get together was a special occasion. We often shared how God encourages us never to give up hope, He has something wonderful planned for our lives as we trust His promises. This is only goodnight for awhile. This thought (God’s tender care for us) is beautifully conveyed in Jeremiah 29:11. “ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace…to give you a future and a hope”. Our Sincere condolences, love and prayers Paulette and family for Always.
Dan Germain - Nephew
August 12, 2022, 2:21 pm
So sorry to hear of Uncle Owen’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Aunt Paulette and Tom, Audrey and Joe and family’s. Loved the picture of uncle Owen. It captures that contagious smile that always made you feel welcome and made you smile. He will be missed by all of us Germain’s and extended family who loved him dearly !!!
Bill and Joann Kline - Like Family
August 13, 2022, 2:24 pm
Owen and Paulette quickly became family to us and we know we did to them. Owen touched so many lives and will be missed by all. We will miss his sense of humor, his smile and those little faces he would make when he knew he was throwing a card that one of us didn’t want. Our “scat” game will never be the same. We loved all of our times together whether it was going out to dinner, to wherever for whatever, as we did so many times or playing scat or just sitting and talking. You brought back so many memories for me of my Uncle when I watched Westerns with you because I watched them with him growing up and that made me happy. I was glad that I could share that with you. Bill and I are grateful that we had the time we had with you and know that we will remain as close to Paulette and the rest of the family as we have, if not closer. Rest in Peace and fly those planes as only you can.