James Albert Owens, former resident of Michigan, peacefully passed into the arms of the angels on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, from a prior injury. Jim recently retired from the City of Houston Office of the City Controller. He previously served as controller in Houston at Henderson Broadcasting Company, Schey Advertising, and Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Jim volunteered as a past president of the Houston Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, a member of the Executive Board of the Houston Organization of Public Employees (HOPE), the city union for municipal workers, and on Board of Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church. An active member of the Democratic Party, he participated in the 1996 Democratic National Convention as a delegate, as well as a long time Democratic Chair in Precincts #034 in Montrose and #134 in Garden Villas. Jim worked on the organizing committee for the 1987 March on Washington for Gay & Lesbian Rights, and was largely responsible for bringing the NAMES PROJECT quilt to Houston as the first major event held in the new George R. Brown Convention Center.
Jim is survived by sisters Dolorys Bauer of Michigan and Gloria McSweeney of Florida, several nieces and nephews across the country and life partner of 37 years, Michael C. Jozwiak, who moved with him to Houston in 1978. Cremation was handled by prior arrangements. A memorial service will be held at Servants of Christ United Methodist Church at 3827 Broadway & I-45 South, Thursday, July 19th at 6:00PM, and at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 West Eleventh Street at T.C. Jester on Saturday, July 28th at 10:00AM. No flowers please.
Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be sent to the Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard, Houston, TX 77006 and the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Political Caucus, 4617 Montrose C-222, Houston, TX 77006. He will surely be missed and well remembered as a political activist, co-worker, dear friend, and devoted life mate.
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