P. John Owen

Nov 16, 2017 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2017 | 1 comment

John Owen, 70, died November 4, 2017. He was born January 30, 1947, in Sedalia, MO to P. Cecil Owen and Marceille F. Owen.

After graduating from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, John obtained his BA in history in 1969 from Georgetown University and his Juris Doctorate in 1972 from Northwestern University.

John’s legal career began in Kansas City, MO at Morrison Hecker LLP (now Stinson, Leonard, Street). During his partnership at Morrison Hecker, John worked on some of the largest and history-making cases in the U.S. He also served as a member of the firm’s management team, pioneering the expansion of the firm into what now has grown to 13 locations across the country.

Beginning in 2002, John served as General Counsel of National Crop Insurance Services, a not-for-profit trade association that serves the crop insurance industry.

Following his retirement in early 2013, John continued his legal service by volunteering with Legal Aid of Western Missouri’s Economic Development Unit, where he spent hundreds of hours serving the needs of the Kansas City community. His strategic advice led to the recovery of nearly $1.5 million for rehabilitation of eight distressed apartment buildings in Kansas City’s midtown.

In May 2016, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association awarded John with the Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award, an award that is presented annually to attorneys who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the delivery of pro bono legal services in the Kansas City community.

A once avid skier and golfer, Mr. Owen had been a member of Indian Hills Country Club, and more recently of La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, CA.

John renewed his faith in 2012, when he was welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church.

John was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 28, at 1:00 p.m. at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main St., Kansas City, MO, followed by inurnment at Mount Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Visitation Church or Legal Aid of Western Missouri, 4001 Blue Pkwy, KCMO 64130. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.

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Howard Ellfeldt

5 years ago

John was a true gentleman. We will miss his annual trip to Florida to renew our friendship.

Howard & Barbara Ellfeldt

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Words will never be enough to properly express our gratitude...Your care for him and your guidance in our hour of need will never be repaid. Thank you, a million times, for you compassion and respectful service.

Nicole

Thank you so much for your compassionate care of our family. You have answered Dad's call to comfort grieving families, and we are so grateful.

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