Julius Freeman Owens, former Technical Director of the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, died January 6, 2011. He was 79.

Born December 10, 1932, in Leonardtown, he was the son of the late William Freeman Owens and Mary Lillian Owens. He graduated from Margaret Brent High School in 1948. In 1956, he earned acceptance into the Pax-10 program as a student trainee and began a 31-year career in Government service. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland in 1961 and continued his work at the Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center as an aerospace engineer.

Primarily involved in flying qualities and performance testing, Mr. Owens became a senior project engineer on the F-8E test program in 1964. He progressed to positions of section head and assistant chief engineer in the Flying Qualities and Performance Flight Test Division, chief engineer for Ground Support Equipment Test and Evaluation in the Service Test Division, and chief engineer of the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate. In 1980, he became Technical Director of Strike. He finished his Government career as the Technical Director of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Following his Government career, he continued to provide engineering and management expertise to testing efforts at Pax River through employment at Veda Incorporated (now called Wyle).

During his Government career, Mr. Owens earned a master's degree in administration from George Washington University. He also graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School's engineering course and completed the Post Command Course at the U.S. Naval War College.

A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, Mr. Owens was active in many civic organizations. He was a member of the Leonardtown Lions Club, where he served as King Lion and secretary. He was also a member of St. Mary's Council 1470 of the Knights of Columbus and served as the Council Grand Knight. He was an active member of the Democratic Club of St. Mary's County, for which he organized annual Democrat of the Year celebrations. He was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. A 40-year parishioner at St. George's Catholic Church in Valley Lee, Mr. Owens was both a lector and a member of the choir.

Mr. Owens is survived by his wife of 53 years, Katherine Hodges Owens, and their five children: Katherine H. O'Rourke and her husband John of Solomons, MD; Mary R. Owens of Port Republic, MD; Susan C. Coyne and her husband Gary of Bryant Pond, ME; Jacqueline Owens Lancaster and her husband Lanny of Leonardtown, MD; and Margaret Anne Owens and her husband, Roy Altizer, of Solomons, MD. Mr. Owens has two grandchildren, Katherine Suzanne Lawrence and Douglas Owens Lawrence. He is also survived by his sister, Julia Bodine of Lexington Park, MD, and his brother, William F. "Freddy" Owens, of Clinton, MD.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Owens was predeceased by 14 brothers and sisters, including his sister, Janice Cooper, who died in November of 2011.

The family will receive friends for Julius's Life Celebration on Monday, January 9, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m., with Prayers at 7 p.m., at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. George's Catholic Church, 19199 St. George's Church Road, Valley Lee, MD at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2011. Monsignor Karl A. Chimiak pastor of the church will be the celebrant. Pallbearers will be Roy Altizer, Kurt Bodine, Gary Coyne, John M. Hodges, Jr., Lanny Lancaster, Douglas Lawrence, Scott Lawrence, and John O'Rourke. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Leonardtown Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus.

Donations in memory of Julius F. Owens may be made to St. George's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 9, Valley Lee, MD 20692, or to Three Oaks Center, P.O. Box 775, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.