Aubrey Parsons Owen

Aubrey Parsons Owen, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, formerly of Abiquiú, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2021, at the age of 87. Aubrey was born on December 12, 1933 in Abilene, Texas, to William Rainey and Ola Verda (Parsons) Owen. Aubrey graduated from Abilene High School in 1952, Texas Christian University in 1956, studied on a Rockefeller Fellowship at the University of Chicago’s seminary in 1964, and received a Master’s Degree in Education from Columbia University in New York City in 1965. Aubrey is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Yuvonnia (Vonnie) Kornegay Owen, daughter Reina Owen DeMartino and husband Thomas of Albuquerque, son Dan Owen and wife Melanie of Hermiston, Oregon, and son Paul Owen and wife Shirley of Lindale, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren Giuseppe DeMartino (and fiancée Briana Chacòn), Lucia DeMartino (and partner Emilio Duran), Katie Pace, Julie Pace DeCoria (and husband Brandon), Haley Pace Fox (and husband Cody), Morgan Owen, Erin Owen Walkley (and husband Dakota), Rachel Owen, and Dan Owen; brother Rainey Owen and wife Rita of Lexington, Texas, brother Dan Owen and wife Sandy of Austin, Texas; and godchildren Colorado Cordova, Brian Sandoval, Angelica Martinez Serrano, Tamika Holmes Muller, Lisa Haselbauer Angstenberger, and Lisa Burkstaller. When Aubrey and Vonnie married in 1960, Aubrey was a geologist with Humble Oil Company in Roswell, New Mexico. Aubrey was inspired by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson’s call to action on civil rights and social justice initiatives, which led him to working in the War on Poverty in Southeastern and Northern New Mexico, Nebraska and Colorado, and serving three years in the Peace Corps in Venezuela, the first steps in a life of service motivated by his faith. Aubrey’s desire to continue to serve his community and everyone in it led him to become Community Program Coordinator with Ghost Ranch, a position created for him by Director Jim Hall. In that role he impacted many people in the communities of Northern New Mexico and brought meaningful, lasting improvement to the world. Aubrey dedicated his life to serve his family, friends, and community, but always felt that he received much more than he contributed. He led a life filled with beauty and blessings, including his family and friends throughout the world, the beauty of Northern New Mexico, and a vocation that allowed him to do what he could to promote, peace, justice, and healing in this wounded world. He truly lived a Micah 6:8 life by seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with his God. Aubrey was an active member of the St. Thomas Parish in Abiquiú, where he and Vonnie, with other Lay Presiders, led communion services throughout the parish for years, and served twice as Mayordomos de Santa Rosa. Aubrey was a member of the Joe Ferran Community Center Board for 25 years, a founding board member and Board President of the New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund and served as Board President of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association from 1981-83. In 1990 the Association awarded Aubrey the Peter Van Dresser Award, “For exemplary contributions to the fields of solar energy and related arts, sciences, and technologies, local and community self-reliance, and sustainable growth and development; and for life work demonstrating a concern for the ecologic, social, and economic fabric of the human community.” Aubrey was also a founding Board member of the Rio Chama Acequias Association and served several years as Board Vice-President. Aubrey also played on the Abiquiú “Viejos” basketball team into his 60s. After retirement to the family home in Abiquiú in 2001, Aubrey enjoyed tending to animals of all shapes and sizes, working on the house, gardening, irrigating, visiting with friends, hiking with his and Vonnie’s hiking group, and traveling. When Aubrey and Vonnie moved to Albuquerque in 2009, they quickly became dedicated fans of their grandchildren’s Albuquerque High School teams and traveled frequently to see their out-of-state grandchildren and friends. A celebration of Aubrey’s life will be held August 28, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Abiquiú Parish Hall in Abiquiú, New Mexico. A family internment service will be held this fall at Murphy’s Chapel, the family cemetery, in Lea County, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Aubrey’s name to the New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund at https: //www.loanfund.org/, Cottonwood Rehab at https:// lewf.org/ campaigns/ cottonwood-clinic/, Roadrunner Food Bank at: https: //www.rrfb.org/, the Animal Humane New Mexico at https://animalhumanenm .org/, or any organization, preferably local, which would benefit someone or something in need.