Rufus Owens

Rufus Owens 73, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on the morning of April 7, 2011 . His lifes journey began in New York City on Dec. 6, 1937 , the third of six children of Grant and Aretha Owens. He grew up in the Bronx , NY and graduated from Morris High School . A hard worker, he was the first in his family to attend college by working nights for many years to attain an Associates Degree at Bronx Community College . He proudly and with honor served the U.S. Civil Service for 33 years as an Electronics Technician at White Sands Missile Range, NM and a SSG (T) in the U.S. Army for 6 years at Ft. Bliss, TX. He met Luberta Fland in El Paso and they were married in 1969, where they raised 4 children (Angela Yarrell, Sharon Franklin, Lantric Franklin, and Marcus Owens). His life was filled with numerous friends who always benefited from his great wisdom, care and respect. He is survived by his wife and children as well as his brothers Victor and Raymond, niece Robin Ferguson, granddaughters Latoya and Tinisha Franklin, grandsons Anjune Johnson, Bronze Yarrell, Asaiah and Amaurion Johnson, sons-in-law Antonio Johnson and Larry Yarrell and great-granddaughter Taaliyah. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his memory to one of the following charities that were always close to his heart and pocket! American Kidney Fund http://www.kidneyfund.org/, Help Hospitalized Veterans http://www.hhv.org/, or SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) http://www.splcenter.org/. Visitation will be held from 10am-11:30am with Funeral Serices to begin at 11:30am, Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.