Kenneth C. Owen, Jr., age 87, of Gulfport, MS, passed away on March 19, 2026.

Born 7/4/1938 in Medford, Oregon to Kenneth C. and Vivian A. Owen (nee Vivian A. Meader), Ken graduated from Hollywood High School in 1956 and attended San Jose State University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in May 1957. Upon graduation from basic training, Ken successfully completed a very difficult period of study in qualification as an Interior Communications Technician and Nuclear Reactor Operator. Ken repeatedly distinguished himself in lengthy service at sea aboard the USS SARGO(SSN-583), USS TIRU (SS-416), USS JASON (AR-8), USS STONEWALL JACKSON (SSBN-634), and the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (SSBN-602). Ken also supported the fleet as a naval diver, an instructor at S1C Nuclear Prototype in Windsor, CT and at the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Training Center in Charleston, SC, and as a student at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Ken earned five Good Conduct Medals and two Meritorious Unit Commendations in service aboard USS STONEWALL JACKSON and at the FBM Submarine Training, Charleston, SC and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. The two things Ken was most proud of were 1) the North Pole run of 1960 because the USS SARGO was only the third boat to do it and, 2) he made first class in 4 years at the young age of 23. Ken retired from the prestigious rank ICCS(SS) from the U.S. Navy in 1976. Ken began his second career in 1977 as a Repair/Test/Evaluation Technician at Hewlett Packard in Rohnert Park, CA. He retired in 1997. Ken was a resident at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS since 2011.

Ken is survived by his daughter, Vivan L. Delaney and husband William W. Delaney, grandson Donovan A. Salzarulo, his cousins Priscilla Meader Blackstock and Pamela Meader Barr and their families. Ken was preceded in death by both of his parents. A private memorial service will be held by Ken's family to honor him.