James Richard "Dickie" Owens, 82, of Leonardtown, MD, died on October 8, 2009 at St. Mary's Nursing Center. Born in Leonardtown, MD on May 7, 1927, he was the son of the late Benjamin F. and Mary Frances Wilkinson Owens.

He is survived by his devoted niece, Carolyn Nelson and a host of other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings: William, John, Charles and Frankie Owens and Marie Lacey, Bernice Kreimer, Nicey Goddard and Patsy Hammett.

Dickie served in the United States Army from July 1945 to December 1946. He was a carpenter, working first with his father and in later years with Buster Lacey. He cared greatly about the welfare of all animals but had a special affection for the many stray cats that found refuge in at his home in Medley's Neck.

Services will be private. Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Animal Welfare League (SMAWL) at P.O. Box 1232, Leonardtown, MD, 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.