Doris Jean Owen, age 88, passed away from complications related to diabetes, on Aug. 29, 2014, at her home in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. "Jean," as she liked to be called, is survived by her son, David M. Owen (Beverly), of Fort Walton Beach; her daughter, Nancy Owen Freshour of Niceville, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Constance Aiken Owen of Virginia Beach, Va.; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, and their families. Mrs. Owen is preceded in death by her husband, of thirty-five years, Col. (ret.) George F. Owen; her son, Capt. (ret., U.S.N.) Donald G. Owen; her son-in-law, Neil F. Freshour; and her parents, John King Sampson and Martha Jane Stanford Sampson.Jean was born on Nov. 12, 1925, in Hamilton, Mont., and grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She was the youngest of eight children, and attended Black Hills Teachers College (Spearfish, S.D.), which is now known as Black Hills State University. Later, Jean attended business school, worked for Chance Vought (aircraft industry) and was married to Maj. George F. Owen, a pilot in the Army Air Corps. In 1947, they welcomed little Donald George; in 1951, David Michael; and in 1957, Nancy Jane. Mrs. Owen enjoyed life as an Air Force wife, including living and raising their family in several states and interesting locales, including Germany and Okinawa. After George's retirement from the Air Force in 1968, the family made their home in Fort Walton Beach, where Jean studied real estate, and became one of the first woman Realtors in the area. Years later, Mrs. Owen bought and operated a small stationery business which sold to tourist industry stores up and down the Florida Panhandle. In the early 1990's she, along with a friend and partner, opened a quaint gift shop in Shalimar, Fla. Apart from being a devoted wife and mother, Jean's pastimes over the years included: reading, cartoon sketching, painting, bowling, playing bridge, Scrabble, picnicking, singing, and playing the piano. She was lauded as a 24 year service member of the Fort Walton Beach Woman's Club, a legacy of the Rebekah Lodge and a member of the Eglin Retired Officers Wives' Club.A celebration of Jean Owen's life will be held on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, with viewing and family visitation from 2 to 3 p.m. A service, with the Rev. Lew Wilder officiating, will begin at 3 p.m. Interment will be held in Beal Memorial Cemetery immediately following the service.The family would like to especially thank Jean's wonderful caregivers, who worked tirelessly to help her to be able to live safely and happily in her own home these past two years. The family would also like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for its prompt coordination and implementation of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given in the name of Doris Jean Owen to any school, or institution of higher learning.Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.